Is it legal to pay an intern less than minimum wage?

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Is it legal to pay an intern less than minimum wage?

I’m a college student and over the summer I have been working as a sales/marketing intern and have been paid solely on commission. So far, for the amount of hours that I have put in, I have actually made less than minimum wage. Is this legal?

Asked on July 19, 2012 under Employment Labor Law, Massachusetts

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

If you are an intern getting paid to a degree and units for school the amount that you are getting paid is allowable under the laws of all states in this country since you are not an employee of the company that you are working.

The problem that you seem to have is that the sales resulting in commissions for you simply do not amount to an hourly wage above the minimum amount per hour in your state.


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