Massachusetts Bills Would Create Minimum Gratuity During "Peak" Season, Raise Tip Wage

CBS Boston

November 18, 2025

A pair of Massachusetts State House bills are once again taking aim at tip wage and now gratuity. This comes after Question 5, a gradual increase in tip wage, was voted down.

"I understand the concept, and I think it's a great one, but it doesn't apply to the service industry," said Lisa Keuchkarian-McKeen, a former server herself and now the co-owner of The Diner at 11 North Beacon in Watertown. "I think when people try to make it an even playing board you can't always do that. That's not how our industry survives. We can't make it so everyone makes the same. We have people going above and beyond, so they deserve to be tipped accordingly."

There is a bill that would raise the overall minimum wage to $20, but it includes legislation that would raise tip wage from $6.25 to $12. Both servers and owners fear that may lead to people tipping less overall.

Click here for the full story via CBS Boston

CBS Local Digital Media personalizes the global reach of CBS-owned and operated television and radio stations with a local perspective.