New York workers are getting another raise. Starting January 1, 2026, the state’s minimum wage will increase by 50 cents an hour—reaching $17 in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, and $16 in the rest of the state, including Syracuse and other regions.
That’s about a 3% increase in the Downstate areas and 3.2% in the rest of the state–meaning full-time employees working 40 hours a week will take home roughly $20 more each week.
The New York State Department of Labor says this is part of a long-term plan.
Beginning in 2027, the minimum wage will automatically adjust each year based on inflation, using a three-year average of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers in the Northeast region, according to the NYS Department of Labor.
These scheduled raises, and the move to link wages to inflation, stem from a policy change approved in a previous state budget. But there’s a catch: the state can freeze the increases if the economy weakens, meaning the raises aren’t guaranteed.
For context, New York’s first minimum wage in 1960 was just $1 an hour. Even with steady gains—from $8.75 in 2015 to $17 in 2026—it’s still below the highest in the U.S., which is $21.10 an hour in Tukwila, Washington.
Until 2016, all New York workers earned the same rate, regardless of city or industry. Now, wages differ by region and employer size, with Downstate areas leading.
Every worker in New York, including tipped workers, nail salon staff, and fast-food employees, is legally entitled to earn at least the state’s minimum wage. Anyone not receiving the increase can file a wage complaint with the New York State Department of Labor online or by calling 833-910-4378.
👉 Want to check your pay?
Use the Minimum Wage Lookup Tool to see what rate applies to your job and region.