Payment methods (direct deposit, pay cards)
You may require direct deposit but cannot choose the employee's bank. Workers cannot be charged a fee to access their pay. Source: mass.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay stubs
With each payment give a stub showing employer and employee names, pay date, hours worked, hourly rate, and all deductions or increases. Electronic stubs are fine if free to print. Source: mass.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Industry-specific rules
Agricultural workers may be paid monthly. Teachers' pay may be spread over 12 months. Some hospitals and cooperatives are exempt unless the employee asks for weekly pay. Source: malegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Employees who win get mandatory triple damages plus attorney fees and costs; the Attorney General can also prosecute (M.G.L. c. 149, § 150). Source: malegislature.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: M.G.L. c. 149, § 148 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Massachusetts Attorney General's Fair Labor Division (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law does not set how often employers must pay. Under the FLSA, wages are due on the regular payday for the pay period. State laws set the frequency. Source: U.S. DOL — state payday table↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay frequency checklist for Massachusetts employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Pick a pay schedule that meets the minimum frequency above.
- Set fixed paydays within the time limit after each pay period ends.
- Tell employees their payday in writing, and post it if required.
- Choose payment methods your state allows (check, direct deposit, pay card).
- Give a pay stub with the details your state requires.
- Keep payroll records.
More Massachusetts employment law guides
- All Massachusetts employment laws
- Massachusetts final paycheck law
- Massachusetts paid sick leave law
- Massachusetts meal and rest break laws
- Massachusetts overtime law
- Massachusetts vacation and PTO payout law
- Massachusetts new hire reporting
- Massachusetts at-will exceptions
Pay frequency laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.