Does a Massachusetts employer have to give the pay range for a promotion or transfer?
Quick answer
Yes, if the employer has 25 or more employees in Massachusetts. It must give the pay range to an employee who is offered a promotion or transfer to a new position with different job responsibilities. It must also give the pay range to an employee holding a position, or an applicant for it, who asks (M.G.L. c. 149, section 105F(c) and (d)). This is on top of the rule to put the range in job postings.
What does the law say? Key facts and official sources
| Item | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who | Covered employer: any public or private employer with 25 or more employees in Massachusetts (105F(a)) | Official source |
| Effective | Section added by St. 2024, c. 141, s. 7, effective October 29, 2025 (note on the section) | Official source |
| Pay range | The annual salary range or hourly wage range the employer reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position at that time (105F(a)) | Official source |
| Promotion or transfer | Give the range to an employee offered a promotion or transfer to a new position with different job responsibilities (105F(c)) | Official source |
| On request | Give the range to an employee holding the position, or an applicant for it, upon request (105F(d)) | Official source |
| Retaliation | Unlawful to discharge or retaliate against an employee or applicant for enforcing these rights, complaining, or taking part in a proceeding (105F(e)) | Official source |
| Penalties | Attorney General enforces; warning for a first offense, up to $500 for a second, up to $1,000 for a third; fourth and later under section 27C(b)(1)-(2) (105F(f)(1)) | Official source |
| No treble damages | No violation of 105F carries treble damages under section 150 (105F(f)(3)) | Official source |
| Last verified | October 25, 2026 | Astor Ventures |
Does a lateral move count?
The rule covers a transfer "to a new position with different job responsibilities". A move to the same job in another team with the same duties is not described in the text. We quote it as written.
Does the range have to be in writing?
Section 105F does not say how the range must be given for promotions, transfers or requests. Writing it down and keeping a copy is a practical way to show you complied.
Can the employee sue?
The Attorney General has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce subsections (b) to (d), which include the promotion, transfer and on-request rules (105F(f)(1)).
Want it done in an afternoon? The Pay-range job posting kit (WA, MA, DE) gives you posting templates, a pay-range register and a posting log, with the official sources quoted. One-time payment, instant download.
What else do people ask?
How are offenses counted?
One offense can include one or more job postings made by the same employer in a 48-hour period (105F(f)(2)).
Does this apply to employers with fewer than 25 employees?
No. Only covered employers with 25 or more employees in Massachusetts.
What about Washington?
Washington has a similar rule for internal transfers and promotions; see our Washington guide.
Is this legal advice?
No. General information only.
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