Minimum Wage Hike Takes Effect This Month
The minimum wage is set to rise in all parts of New York State outside of New York City at the end of the month. The minimum hourly wage will rise to $12.50 from $11.80 on December 31st everywhere outside of New York City, Long Island and Westchester County. Long Island and Westchester County will see their minimum wage rise to $14.00 from $13.00 an hour on December 31st. New York City will see no change in its minimum wage, which already stands at $15.00 an hour. Long Island and Westchester are scheduled to go to $15.00 an hour at the end of 2021.
Starting next year, annual increases in Upstate New York will be determined by the Commissioner of Labor on or before October 1st, based on economic indices, including the Consumer Price Index. The State’s tiered schedule for minimum wage increases was established by the Legislature in 2016, with the goal of eventually raising the wage to $15.00 an hour everywhere in the state.
The cash wage for tipped food service workers is also increasing for businesses outside of New York City. The cash wage for tipped workers will rise to $8.35 from $7.85 an hour on December 31st everywhere outside of New York City, Long Island and Westchester County. Long Island and Westchester County will see their cash wage rise to $9.35 from $8.65 an hour on December 31st. The cash wage for tipped food service workers in New York City will remain at $10 an hour.