Massachusetts minimum wage: $15.00/hr (2026)
📊 Massachusetts Income Tax Overview 2026
Massachusetts uses a Flat: 5% (+ 4% surtax on income over $1M) income tax system. See the wage table below for common take-home pay amounts.
| Taxable Income (Single) | CA Tax Rate | Tax on Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $10,412 | 1.0% | up to $104 |
| $10,413 – $24,684 | 2.0% | up to $285 |
| $24,685 – $38,959 | 4.0% | up to $571 |
| $38,960 – $54,081 | 6.0% | up to $907 |
| $54,082 – $68,350 | 8.0% | up to $1,141 |
| $68,351 – $349,137 | 9.3% | up to $26,139 |
| $349,138 – $418,961 | 10.3% | up to $7,192 |
| $418,962 – $698,274 | 11.3% | up to $31,560 |
| $698,275+ | 13.3% | highest bracket |
Source: MA Dept of Revenue · 2026. MA flat: 5%. PFML: 0.46%.
💵 Common Hourly Wages — Massachusetts After-Tax
Here's what various hourly wages look like after Massachusetts taxes (single filer, 2026):
| Hourly Rate | Annual Gross | CA State Tax | Take-Home/yr | Take-Home/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17/hr | $35,360 | ~$618 | ~$27,400 | ~$2,283 |
| $20/hr | $41,600 | ~$935 | ~$31,800 | ~$2,650 |
| $22/hr | $45,760 | ~$1,155 | ~$34,600 | ~$2,883 |
| $25/hr | $52,000 | ~$1,614 | ~$38,800 | ~$3,233 |
| $30/hr | $62,400 | ~$2,450 | ~$46,100 | ~$3,842 |
| $35/hr | $72,800 | ~$3,350 | ~$53,100 | ~$4,425 |
| $40/hr | $83,200 | ~$4,260 | ~$59,900 | ~$4,992 |
| $50/hr | $104,000 | ~$6,450 | ~$73,400 | ~$6,117 |
🏙️ Massachusetts Major Cities — Wages & Cost of Living 2026
Here's a cost of living overview for major Massachusetts cities:
📖 California Tax Guide for Workers 2026
California State Income Tax
California uses a progressive income tax system with 9 brackets (1%–13.3%). Unlike federal taxes, California has a relatively low standard deduction of $5,202 for single filers in 2026, meaning more of your income is subject to state tax compared to federal tax.
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
California workers pay SDI at 0.9% of gross wages with no wage ceiling since January 2024. SDI provides short-term disability benefits and Paid Family Leave (PFL) — you may be eligible to receive up to 60–70% of your wages if you need to take time off for a qualifying disability or family reason.
California vs. No-Tax States
Compared to Texas or Florida (0% state tax), a California worker earning $52,000/year pays approximately $2,100–$2,500 more in state taxes annually. However, California offers benefits including disability insurance, paid family leave, strong worker protections, and higher minimum wages.
California Overtime Law
California has stricter overtime rules than federal law: overtime (1.5× rate) applies after 8 hours in a single day (not just 40 hours/week). Double time (2× rate) applies after 12 hours in a day or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day worked. This can significantly increase take-home for hourly workers who work long days.
California COLA & Living Wage
California has the highest cost of living of any U.S. state. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Los Angeles needs ~$30–35/hr to meet basic needs without government assistance. In San Francisco, the equivalent is closer to $38–42/hr. A $17/hr minimum wage, while the highest state minimum in the U.S., still falls short of a true living wage in California's major cities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
The Massachusetts minimum wage is $15.00/hour in 2026. Massachusetts was one of the first states to reach $15/hr. Boston area living costs are very high — the MIT Living Wage for Boston is approximately $32–38/hr for a single adult.
Massachusetts has a flat income tax rate of 5% on most income. A 4% surtax applies to income over $1 million (the "millionaires tax"). Massachusetts also requires PFML contributions of 0.46% (employee share) for paid family leave benefits.
$25/hr (~$3,233/month after MA taxes) is very tight in the Boston metro where 1-bedrooms average $2,400–$3,500. More manageable in western Massachusetts cities (Springfield, Worcester) where 1-bedrooms average $1,000–$1,600. Most financial advisors recommend budgeting 30% of take-home for housing (~$988/month) — which is very difficult in coastal CA metros at $25/hr.
Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) requires an employee contribution of 0.46% of wages (2026). Benefits: up to 20 weeks of paid medical leave and 12 weeks of paid family leave at 80% of wages up to the state average weekly wage.
Massachusetts does not have traditional SDI but has the PFML program (0.46% contribution) covering extended leave. Massachusetts also has the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) through PFML for qualifying medical conditions. Benefits are generous compared to most states. These rules apply to most non-exempt employees regardless of industry.