The minimum wage in Worcester is $15.00/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $22.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Worcester.
The minimum wage in Worcester is the Massachusetts statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Worcester does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Massachusetts statewide minimum of $15.00/hour applies to most employers. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Worcester. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,700/month and a cost-of-living index of 116 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Worcester, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $22.00 | $45,760 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $44.50 | $92,560 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $20,400 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Worcester County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Worcester.
Worcester is the second-largest city in New England, anchored by a dense cluster of colleges and a fast-growing biomanufacturing and healthcare sector, including the UMass Chan Medical School, with housing costs well below Boston's.
| Local Metric | Worcester (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 210,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Worcester County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 116 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $22.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $44.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $15.00/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,700/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,050/month |
| Median home price | $420,000 |
| Median household income | $60,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 6.25% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.3% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Worcester is the Massachusetts statewide minimum of $15.00/hour. Worcester does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Massachusetts statewide minimum of $15.00/hour applies to most employers. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $31,200 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Worcester County needs about $22.00/hour (roughly $45,760/year) to cover basic costs. That is $7.00/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $44.50/hour.
At $15.00/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $31,200 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $23,400/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Worcester is about $1,700/month, or $20,400/year.
Worcester does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Massachusetts statewide minimum of $15.00/hour applies to most employers.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Massachusetts has set a state minimum wage of $15.00/hour, well above the federal floor, and that higher rate applies in Worcester.