New York Governor Hochul announced on December 22 that the state’s minimum wage will be increased again on January 1, 2026, marking the third consecutive year of adjustments to the minimum wage standards. According to the regulations, the minimum hourly wage in New York City, Westchester County, and Long Island will be raised to $17, while the rest of the state will increase to $16. This adjustment of $0.50 per hour is part of a historic minimum wage agreement reached between the state government and the state legislature in 2023 and will be formally tied to the inflation index starting in 2027.
“This wage increase policy, from Montauk on Long Island to Niagara Falls, demonstrates the commitment of the state government to putting more money back into the pockets of New Yorkers and supporting hardworking laborers,” Hochul said in a statement. “As the cost of living continues to rise, we are tying the minimum wage to inflation.”
According to the agreement reached in 2023 between the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the minimum wage has been raised by $0.50 in both 2024 and 2025. Starting in 2027, the minimum wage will be automatically adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) in the Northeast region to ensure that wage growth remains consistent with inflation.
To facilitate the smooth implementation of the new regulations, the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is stepping up its efforts to educate employers and employees, providing free educational seminars to help employers understand relevant labor laws and ensure that wage payments comply with the new standards. Employees can also use the NYSDOL’s minimum wage inquiry tool (https://tinyurl.com/34e535u7) to verify their entitled wages.
The state government also reminds employees receiving minimum wage that if they do not see the wage increase on their pay stubs after January 1, 2026, they can file a complaint online (https://tinyurl.com/5bj2tvab) or call the hotline at 833-910-4378.