Minimum wage in New York in 2026
The minimum wage in New York is $16.00 an hour in 2026, and $17.00 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. There is no raise on January 1, 2027, because an economic off-ramp in state law was met.
Checked against official sources.
New York minimum wage at a glance
- An hour
- $16.00
- A week, 40 hours
- $640.00
- A year, 2,080 hours
- $33,280
- Tipped cash wage
- $10.70before tips
In effect since . A year means 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, before taxes.
Local minimum wages in New York
These places set their own, higher minimum wage. If you work there, your employer must pay the local rate.
| Place | Minimum wage | Since | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, Long Island and Westchester | $17.00 | January 1, 2026 | None set yet |
Tipped workers
Employers in New York can pay tipped workers as little as $10.70 an hour in cash and count up to $5.30 an hour in tips toward the $16.00 minimum wage. If tips do not make up the difference, the employer must. That is for food service workers outside New York City, Long Island and Westchester. There, the cash wage is $11.35 with a $5.65 tip credit. Other tipped service workers get $13.30 in cash ($14.15 downstate). Only hospitality employers can take a tip credit.
Who gets a different rate
- Home care aides: $18.65 an hour. $19.65 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. It rises to $19.00, and $20.00 downstate, on January 1, 2027
New York minimum wage by year
| Year | Rate on January 1 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $13.20 |
| 2023 | $14.20 |
| 2024 | $15.00 |
| 2025 | $15.50 |
| 2026 | $16.00 |
From 2027, New York's rate can rise each January 1 with inflation in the Northeast, unless an economic "off-ramp" is met. One was met for 2027, so rates stay at $17.00 and $16.00 on January 1, 2027. The governor has proposed changing that, but it is not law.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in New York in 2026?
The minimum wage in New York is $16.00 an hour in 2026, and $17.00 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. There is no raise on January 1, 2027, because an economic off-ramp in state law was met.
How much is minimum wage a year in New York?
At $16.00 an hour, a full-time worker on 40 hours a week earns $640.00 a week and $33,280 a year before taxes.
What is the minimum wage for tipped workers in New York?
Employers in New York can pay tipped workers as little as $10.70 an hour in cash and count up to $5.30 an hour in tips toward the $16.00 minimum wage. If tips do not make up the difference, the employer must. That is for food service workers outside New York City, Long Island and Westchester. There, the cash wage is $11.35 with a $5.65 tip credit. Other tipped service workers get $13.30 in cash ($14.15 downstate). Only hospitality employers can take a tip credit.
When does the minimum wage go up in New York?
There is no raise on January 1, 2027, because an economic off-ramp in state law was met. From 2027, New York's rate can rise each January 1 with inflation in the Northeast, unless an economic "off-ramp" is met. One was met for 2027, so rates stay at $17.00 and $16.00 on January 1, 2027. The governor has proposed changing that, but it is not law.
Which cities in New York have a higher minimum wage?
New York City, Long Island and Westchester ($17.00) has its own minimum wage above the state rate. Workers there get the local rate.
Is there a different minimum wage for some workers in New York?
Home care aides: $18.65 an hour ($19.65 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. It rises to $19.00, and $20.00 downstate, on January 1, 2027).
Minimum wage in other Northeastern states
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the official pages below. Checked .
- Minimum Wage, New York State Department of Labor
- Labor Law § 652, New York State Senate
- State Minimum Wage Laws, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Changes in Basic Minimum Wages in Non-Farm Employment Under State Law, 1968 to 2024, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Laws change. If your pay is below these rates, contact your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243.