Statutory minimum wage in New York (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: New York has a state minimum wage of $17.00 per hour in New York City, Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk) and Westchester County, and $16.00 per hour in the rest of the state. The Department of Labor states that these rates stay the same on 1 January 2027. Separate, higher rates apply to home care aides and some other industries.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees; New York City, Long Island and Westchester County | $17.00 per hour [2] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees; Rest of New York State | $16.00 per hour [2] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | Only hospitality employers may take a tip credit. Food service workers: cash wage $11.35 (New York City, Long Island, Westchester) or $10.70 (rest of state); other tipped service employees: $14.15 or $13.30. [2] |
Notes
- Only hospitality employers may take a tip credit. Some industries (tipped workers, nail salon workers, home care aides, fast food and others) have different rates; this entry gives the general minimum wage.
- The general minimum wage fact sheet (P700) was not read.
- The Department states the minimum wage will not receive an inflation-based increase on 1 January 2027 because an off-ramp condition was met, and the rates stay at $17.00 and $16.00. A later date was not found.
Sources
- New York State Senate: New York Labor Law Section 652. Minimum wage (Internet Archive snapshot of 8 July 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- New York State Department of Labor: Minimum Wage (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
New York and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | Yes | Employees, NYC, Long Island, Westchester: $17.00 per hour (NYC, Long Island, Westchester) Employees, Rest of state: $16.00 per hour (rest of state) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Connecticut | Yes | $16.94 per hour | Under 18: 85% for first 90 days | 1 January 2027 | $17.48 per hour |
| Massachusetts | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Jersey | Yes | $15.92 per hour | Minors under 18 excluded in some sectors | 1 January 2027 | $16.48 per hour |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Rhode Island | Yes (state law) | $16.00 per hour | Ages 14-15: 75% (up to 24 hours a week) | 1 January 2027 | $17.00 per hour |
| Vermont | Yes (state law) | $14.42 per hour | One rate; no age bands; students excluded | 1 January 2027 (annual adjustment) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in New York
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 55 mph unless posted lower · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (junior licence; not valid in NYC) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16 (learner permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1, 2, 3 (bicycle) · Minimum age: 16 years
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers/ground devices only) · Minimum age to buy: 18 (sparkling devices)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Not listed; offence only with unlawful intent · Locking or one-handed knives: Switchblades banned; gravity knives not listed
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, driver and front passengers · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, back-seat passengers
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (sales banned) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (sales banned)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.