Regional Minimum Wages to Increase on December 31 as New York Moves Toward $15 Minimum Wage
Reminds Workers to Contact Wage Theft Hotline (1-888-4-NYSDOL) to Report Employers Not Complying with Increase
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo is reminding New York workers and businesses that minimum wage increases across the State have gone into effect.
“With this monumental increase in the minimum wage, New York is continuing to lead the way to restoring economic justice for working families,” Governor Cuomo said. “In 2016 we set an example for the rest of the nation to follow by raising the minimum wage to $15, and this year we are continuing to move forward with this successful plan.”
Employers must update their required minimum wage informational posters.
In 2016, Albany enacted the nation’s strongest minimum wage law, which is being implemented in phases, ultimately heading toward a statewide minimum wage of $15 per hour.
The New York State Department of Labor has set up a hotline (1-888-4-NYSDOL) where minimum wage workers can call to report any employers who do not comply with the phase-in schedule
The $15 minimum wage legislation was passed as part of the 2016-17 state budget. The phase-in schedule on a regional basis is as follows:
For workers in New York City employed by large businesses (those with at least 11 employees), the minimum wage rose to $11 at the end of 2016, then another $2 each year after, reaching $15 on 12/31/2018.
For workers in New York City employed by small businesses (those with 10 employees or fewer), the minimum wage rose to $10.50 at the end of 2016, then another $1.50 each year after, reaching $13.50 on 12/31/2018, rising to $15 on 12/31/2019.
For workers in Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties, the minimum wage increased to $10 at the end of 2016, then $1 each year after, reaching $12 on 12/31/2018, rising to $15 on 12/31/2021.
ROCKLAND AND STATEWIDE
For workers in the rest of the state, the minimum wage increased to $9.70 at the end of 2016, then another .70 each year after, rising to $11.10 on 12/31/18, reaching $12.50 on 12/31/2020 – after which the minimum wage will continue to increase to $15 on an indexed schedule to be set by the Director of the Division of Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor.
The minimum wage increases are calculated based on where an individual works, their industry, and, in some cases, the size of their employer’s business.
To help inform businesses and employees, the New York State Department of Labor has several tools available on its website: www.labor.ny.gov/minimumwage.
Minimum Wage FAQs
The Minimum Wage Lookup tool lets employees check the minimum cash wage they must be paid by their employers
The Minimum Wage Information Request Form lets employees ask additional questions that are not already answered on the Department’s website and allows organizations to request a live presentation or webinar about the scheduled increases
More information is available at www.ny.gov/minimumwage.