Massachusetts ballot question five in the 2024 election asked voters registered in the state of Massachusetts to vote on if hourly wages for tipped workers should gradually increase over the span of five years to equal the state minimum wage. 

The approved law, proposed increase tipped worker wages as follows:

“To 64 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2025 

To 73 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2026

To 82 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2027

To 91 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2028

To 100 percent of the state minimum wage on January 1, 2029”

“Employers would be required to continue to pay tipped workers the difference between the state minimum wage and the total amount a tipped worker receives in hourly wages plus tips through the end of 2028,”  according to the state’s ballot guide. With this law employers would be allowed to administer a “tip pool” that would combine all customer tips given to tipped employees and distribute that to all workers, including non-tipper workers. 

As of January 1, 2023 Massachusetts minimum wage is 15 dollars per hour and the service rate is 6.75 dollars per hour. Service workers are those who provide a service to customers and make more than 20 dollars a month in tips.