New York will raise its minimum wage in an effort to maintain competitive wages for workers across the state beginning January 1, 2025. The increase is part of a multi-year plan aimed at gradually raising the minimum income to meet the needs of the diverse workforce, taking into account the cost of living and inflation.
Minimum wage in 2025
The minimum wage in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County will increase from $16.00 to $16.50 per hour, while in the rest of the state it will increase from $15.00 to $15.50 per hour. This 50-cent increase is in addition to increases in recent years.
Regional differences and sectoral tariffs
While the general minimum wage applies to most hourly workers, New York recognizes the specific circumstances of particular industries and regions.
The minimum wage for home health aides will increase to $18.55 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, and to $17.55 per hour in the rest of the state, in accordance with the provisions of the Home Caregiver Wage Parity Act.
Tipped workers in industries such as hospitality will be paid a minimum tipped wage, and employers must ensure that tips and hourly wages meet or exceed the state minimum.
Employers are legally required to compensate workers for overtime, at 1.5 times their standard hourly wage for any hours worked (beyond 40 in a workweek). In addition, workers are entitled to extra pay in situations such as shifts of more than 10 hours.
This wage adjustment is significant, but still below the $26.86 per hour that, according to MIT’s living wage calculator, a single adult in New York needs to support himself or herself.
Future increases
The 2025 increase is part of a broader strategy to ensure fair wages in light of economic challenges. A similar increase of $0.50 is scheduled for January 1, 2026, which will bring the minimum wage to $17 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, and $16 per hour in the rest of the state.
Beginning in 2026, the minimum wage will be indexed to inflation, using the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Public Employees (CPI-W) for the Northeast region. This indexing mechanism is intended to preserve workers’ purchasing power as the cost of living rises. However, during economic downturns or budget crises these automatic increases could be frozen due to a special provision. This could pose risks for workers. Historical data show that conditions that trigger a freeze — such as an increase in unemployment or a decline in nonfarm employment — have occurred relatively frequently. If a freeze occurs, it could cost workers key income.
New York’s minimum wage adjustments are intended to support hundreds of thousands of workers and strengthen local economies. Research shows that higher wages not only benefit low-income households, but also stimulate economic activity, increase productivity, and reduce reliance on welfare programs.
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How much the minimum wage will rise in New York starting in 2025 | Economy and Business
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