Minimum Wage Increase Takes Effect December 31st

As I’m sure you know the next phase of the state’s multi-year march to a $15 minimum wage takes effect on December 31st. The annual increase in the minimum wage also triggers a review of the cash wage for tipped food service workers to determine if it increases (varies across New York State). It also impacts meal credit and uniform allowances. The chart below shows these various increases, broken down geographically.

Basic Minimum Hourly Rate (per hour)

NYC – Large Employers (11 or more employees)                                                       $15.00

NYC – Small Employers (10 or less employees)                                                         $13.50

Long Island & Westchester                                                                                             $12.00

Rest of NYS                                                                                                                        $11.10

Cash Wage for Tipped Foodservice Workers

NYC – Large Employers (11 or more employees)                                                       $10.00

NYC – Small Employers (10 or less employees)                                                         $  9.00

Long Island & Westchester                                                                                             $  8.00

Rest of NYS                                                                                                                        $  7.50

Uniform Maintenance Allowances

Low (20 or fewer hours per week)

NYC – Large Employers (11 or more employees)                                                       $  8.90

NYC – Small Employers (10 or less employees)                                                         $  8.05

Long Island & Westchester                                                                                             $  7.15

Rest of NYS                                                                                                                       $  6.60

Medium (over 20 up to 30 hours per week)

NYC – Large Employers (11 or more employees)                                                       $14.75

NYC – Small Employers (10 or less employees)                                                         $13.30

Long Island & Westchester                                                                                             $11.80

Rest of NYS                                                                                                                        $10.90

High (over 30 hours per week)

NYC – Large Employers (11 or more employees)                                                       $18.65

NYC – Small Employers (10 or less employees)                                                         $16.80

Long Island & Westchester                                                                                            $14.95

Rest of NYS                                                                                                                       $13.80

Meal Credits (Food Service Workers)

NYC – Large Employers (11 or more employees)                                                       $  3.60

NYC – Small Employers (10 or less employees)                                                         $  3.35

Long Island & Westchester                                                                                             $  3.05

Rest of NYS                                                                                                                       $  2.90