As of January 1, 2026, NYS minimum wage will rise to $16.00 per hour in the broader state, and $17.00 in NYC, Westchester and Long Island. This marks an adjustment of $0.50 per hour from 2025 rates.

“Meaningful increases in minimum wage are investments in making New York more affordable for workers. These increases ensure wages keep pace with the cost of living. This investment is also significant because not only does it make yearly increases in the hourly rate, but as of 2027, minimum wage will be indexed to inflation,” said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. “And in a time of economic uncertainty due to the federal government, this will help dollars stretch further and increase economic mobility for families and hard-working New Yorkers.”

The graduated minimum wage increases are the results of 2023’s historic ‘Raise the Wage’ campaign, championed by Assemblymember Harry Bronson, who then served as Chair of the Assembly Economic Development Committee. The goal is to prevent workers from being priced out of the economy if costs rise, while also creating a measured path forward for businesses, especially small businesses, to increase wages.

As of 2027, the minimum hourly wage will be indexed to inflation annually at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region. The CPI is considered the most accurate regional measure of inflation rates.

“As Chair of Labor, I am proud to have stood with my colleagues in the Legislature in the fight to raise the minimum wage, and, critically, index it to inflation, so working people will no longer continue to be priced out of the economy if costs rise,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “This was about doing right for New Yorkers and creating an economy that supports our businesses and our families.”

To ensure businesses and workers are aware of the incoming changes, NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is offering free educational seminars to help employers understand labor laws and ensure compliance in a timely fashion. If you are a minimum wage earner and do not see an increase reflected in your paychecks starting in January 2026, you can file a wage complaint or call 833-910-4378. You can also visit NYSDOL’s Wage Theft Hub.