Gov. Kathy Hochul is reminding New Yorkers across the state that the minimum wage will increase starting Jan. 1.
Minimum wage will increase from $15 per hour to $16 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County, while the rest of the state increases from $14.20 per hour to $15 per hour.
The increase is part of a historic, multi-year plan to increase the minimum wage, after Hochul reached an agreement with the New York State Legislature.
Hochul noted the increase will “help to ensure that New Yorkers can continue to keep pace with rising costs.”
By 2026, the increase of minimum wage is expected to go up by $1 throughout New York State, while only seeing a 50 cent increase over the next two years.
“Starting January 1, minimum wage workers who do not see the increase reflected in their paychecks are urged to file a complaint with the Department of Labor to make sure that they get the wages they are owed,” said Hochul.
In addition to this historic increase, minimum wage for home care aides will increase to $18.55 an hour in the city, Westchester and Long Island, while counties in upstate New York will see a $17.55 per hour pace.
Hochul’s office noted that according to research, raising the minimum wage can “lead to reductions in poverty, reduced social assistance spending, stimulative spending, improved worker productivity, and other benefits.”
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon noted, “The elevation of the minimum wage serves as lifeline for New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet as costs rise. Steady, multi-year changes allow businesses time to adjust while providing low-wage workers the ability to better support themselves and their families.”
As part of public awareness, the Department of Labor will look to remind New Yorkers of the increase and encourage minimum wage workers to report missing wages.
Minimum wage earners who do not see the increase reflected in their paychecks can file a wage complaint on the New York State Department of Labor’s website or by calling 833-910-4378. For more information about NYSDOL’s efforts to combat wage theft, visit the Department’s landing page.
