Upstate Minimum Wage Increasing to $14.20 Per Hour

The minimum wage is going up on December 31 for workers in upstate New York. Workers outside of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County will see an increase by $1.00 per hour, from $13.20 to $14.20, following a statutorily required economic analysis conducted by the New York State Division of the Budget. Additionally, the minimum wage for home care aides, which took effect on October 1, 2022, will also increase by $1.00 to $16.20 per hour in counties in upstate New York.

“With inflation and a national labor shortage impacting our state’s economy, my team is doing everything possible to put money in New Yorkers’ pockets and address the rising cost of living,” Governor Hochul said. “Fair, competitive wages are essential for helping families thrive and attracting top talent to our state, and our administration remains committed to using every tool at our disposal to move New York’s economy forward.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “By raising the minimum wage, we are helping to lift up our neighbors across New York State. Advancing the multi-year increases has helped businesses adjust to the steady changes while providing low-wage workers the ability to better support themselves and their families.”

An estimated 200,000 New Yorkers in these upstate counties will benefit from this wage increase, 44% of which are full time workers and of those, nearly 25% are supporting children below age 18. In addition, this increase will help to close the gender pay gap, providing an estimated 110,000 women with greater financial stability.

New York State’s minimum wage increases are calculated based on where an individual works and their industry. Workers in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County currently make the $15.00 minimum hourly wage. The increases for the remainder of the state are based on percentage increases determined by the Director of the Division of the Budget in consultation with the Department of Labor following an annual review of the state economy and the labor market.

*Annual increases for the rest of the state will continue until the rate reaches $15 minimum wage (and $10 tipped wage). Starting 2021, the annual increases will be published by the Commissioner of Labor on or before October 1. They will be based on percentage increases determined by the Director of the Division of Budget, based on economic indices, including the Consumer Price Index.

**Only hospitality employers are allowed to take credit from minimum wage.

***Effective 10/1/2022, the minimum wage for home care aides as defined in Public Health Law § 3614-c increased by $2 per hour above the basic minimum hourly rate.