New York’s Minimum Wage set to increase on January 1

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that New Yorkers earning minimum wage will earn an additional $0.50 per hour starting on Jan. 1, 2025. New York’s minimum wage will increase to $16.50-per-hour in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, and $15.50-per-hour for the rest of the state.

This adjustment is part of New York’s multi-year agreement between Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to index the minimum wage to inflation.

In a press release from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, a representative wrote, “This announcement is part of NYSDOL’s ongoing effort to educate both employees and employers, ensuring awareness of the change, and proactively reducing potential wage theft.”

“Putting money back in your pockets has been the focus of my first three budgets, and that includes increasing the minimum wage for the lowest earners across the state,” Governor Hochul said. 

“With rising costs of living, this increase will help to lighten the burdens of inflation for New Yorkers while providing businesses with the time needed to adjust.”

The minimum wage is set to increase by an additional $0.50 in 2026 and then increase yearly from 2027 onwards, based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region. An “off-ramp” is available in the event of certain economic or budget conditions.

Employers can access more information, such as an interactive Minimum Wage Lookup Tool, by visiting the Minimum Wage website at https://dol.ny.gov/minimum-wage-0.

Minimum wage earners who do not see the increase reflected in their paychecks can file a wage complaint on the New York State Department of Labor’s website at https://dol.ny.gov/filing-labor-standards-complaint-fare-grant, or by calling 1-833-910-4378.

For more information about NYSDOL’s efforts to combat wage theft, please visit the Department’s landing page at https://dol.ny.gov/unpaidwithheld-wages-and-wage-supplements.