New York Minimum Wage: Current Rates, History, & Next Increases (2026–2027 Update)
New York’s minimum wage depends on where employees work and, in some cases, their industry. This guide summarizes the current regional rates, explains how they have changed over time, and highlights announced and proposed changes employers should consider when planning compensation.
The general minimum wage and hospitality tipped wage rates will remain unchanged on January 1, 2027. Home care aide rates will increase, however, and proposed legislation could bring additional changes in March.
General Minimum Wage Rates: 2026 and January 2027
The following general rates took effect on January 1, 2026, and will remain unchanged on January 1, 2027.
| Region | Hourly Minimum (2026 and January 2027) |
|---|---|
| New York City | $17.00 |
| Long Island & Westchester | $17.00 |
| Remainder of New York State | $16.00 |
An economic “off-ramp” has prevented the automatic inflation adjustment for January 2027. See the discussion of future increases below and NYDOL’s minimum wage announcement.
Tipped Minimum Wages: 2026 and January 2027
For qualifying hospitality employees, employers may combine a required cash wage with a limited tip credit toward the regional minimum wage. The following rates apply in 2026 and will remain unchanged on January 1, 2027.
Food Service Workers
This category includes qualifying tipped waitstaff, bartenders, and bussing personnel. It excludes delivery workers.
| Region | Minimum Cash Wage | Maximum Tip Credit | Basic Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $11.35 | $5.65 | $17.00 |
| Long Island & Westchester | $11.35 | $5.65 | $17.00 |
| Remainder of New York State | $10.70 | $5.30 | $16.00 |
Service Employees
This category covers qualifying tipped service employees who are not food service workers or fast food employees. Eligibility depends on meeting a separate minimum tip threshold.
| Region | Minimum Cash Wage | Maximum Tip Credit | Basic Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $14.15 | $2.85 | $17.00 |
| Long Island & Westchester | $14.15 | $2.85 | $17.00 |
| Remainder of New York State | $13.30 | $2.70 | $16.00 |
Fast food workers are not eligible for a tip credit and must be paid at least the regional basic minimum. Employers must also satisfy the applicable notice, tip eligibility, and other requirements before taking a tip credit.
What’s Next: Future New York Minimum Wage Increases
Beginning in 2027, New York’s general minimum wage is subject to annual inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast region. However, the law includes economic conditions, known as “off-ramps,” that can prevent an automatic increase.
An off-ramp has been triggered for 2027. As a result, the general minimum wage will remain $17.00 in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, and $16.00 elsewhere on January 1, 2027.
Home care aides follow a separate wage schedule. Their minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2027, to $20.00 in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, and $19.00 in the rest of the state. The general minimum wage off-ramp does not prevent this increase.
Governor Hochul has proposed legislation that could raise the general minimum wage to $17.60 downstate and $16.55 elsewhere effective March 1, 2027. Under the proposal, home care aide rates would rise to $20.30 and $19.30, respectively.
These March rates are proposed, not enacted requirements. Employers should monitor legislative developments and NYDOL announcements before treating the January rates as their requirements for the entire year.
Minimum Wage History (2016–2026)
New York phased in regional minimum wages beginning December 31, 2016. NYC reached $15 for large employers on December 31, 2018, and for small employers on December 31, 2019. Long Island and Westchester reached $15 on December 31, 2021, and the rest of the state reached $15 on January 1, 2024. Further increases of $0.50 took effect on January 1 in both 2025 and 2026.
| Effective Date | New York City* | Long Island & Westchester | Remainder of NY State |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2016 | $11.00 (large) / $10.50 (small) | $10.00 | $9.70 |
| December 31, 2017 | $13.00 (large) / $12.00 (small) | $11.00 | $10.40 |
| December 31, 2018 | $15.00 (large) / $13.50 (small) | $12.00 | $11.10 |
| December 31, 2019 | $15.00 (all employers) | $13.00 | $11.80 |
| December 31, 2020 | $15.00 | $14.00 | $12.50 |
| December 31, 2021 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $13.20 |
| December 31, 2022 | $15.00 | $15.00 | $14.20 |
| 2023 (unchanged) | $15.00 | $15.00 | $14.20 |
| January 1, 2024 | $16.00 | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| January 1, 2025 | $16.50 | $16.50 | $15.50 |
| January 1, 2026 | $17.00 | $17.00 | $16.00 |
* NYC used separate schedules for large employers (11 or more employees) and small employers (10 or fewer employees) until the rates aligned on December 31, 2019.
Horton Law has tracked annual New York minimum wage changes since 2017. This historical table covers rates through 2026. Announced January 2027 rates and proposed later changes are discussed above.
Employer FAQs About the New York Minimum Wage
What changed for the New York minimum wage in 2026?
Effective January 1, 2026, the basic minimum wage increased to $17.00 in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, and $16.00 in the rest of New York State. Hospitality tipped cash wages and tip credits also changed.
Does New York City have a different rate than upstate?
Yes. The general minimum wage is $17.00 in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, and $16.00 in the rest of the state. These rates apply in 2026 and will remain unchanged on January 1, 2027.
How do tipped minimum wages work for restaurants and hotels?
Qualifying hospitality employers may pay a lower cash wage and claim a limited tip credit if they satisfy the applicable notice, tip eligibility, and other requirements. Employees’ cash wages and tips must meet the regional minimum wage, and employers must make up any shortfall. Fast food workers are not eligible for a tip credit.
Do salaried exempt employees need an update when the minimum wage changes?
New York minimum wage changes do not directly alter the federal minimum salary level. However, New York has separate salary thresholds for its executive and administrative exemptions that increase proportionately with the general minimum wage. Review current state requirements and employees’ duties before determining whether salary adjustments are needed to maintain exempt status.
When should we update postings, handbooks, and payroll systems?
Implement applicable wage changes for work performed beginning on their effective date. Update required postings, payroll settings, job advertisements, wage notices where required, and internal documents that reference pay rates. Hospitality employers should also confirm tip-credit notices and recordkeeping requirements.
What happens to New York’s minimum wage in 2027?
The general minimum wage and hospitality tipped wage rates will remain unchanged on January 1, 2027, because an economic off-ramp has prevented the automatic inflation adjustment. Home care aide minimum wages will increase to $20.00 downstate and $19.00 elsewhere. Proposed legislation could bring additional increases effective March 1, 2027, but those changes have not been enacted.
How should we handle employees working in multiple regions?
Pay is based on where employees perform the work. Employers may pay the highest applicable regional minimum for all hours or track hours by work location and apply the appropriate regional rate. Records and wage statements must accurately reflect the hours and rates used.
Do independent contractors count?
Minimum wage laws apply to employees, rather than properly classified independent contractors. New York uses strict worker-classification tests. Review the actual working relationship under applicable state and federal standards before treating a worker as an independent contractor.
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