New York Minimum Wage 2026
The minimum wage in New York is $16.50/hr ($9.25 above the $7.25 federal minimum). NYC, Long Island, and Westchester $16.50; rest of state $15.50.
What this means for hiring in New York
The New York minimum wage sets the floor for what you can legally pay hourly workers, but the real cost of hiring goes well past base pay. The cost of a bad hire (turnover, lost productivity, training a replacement) typically runs 30% of first-year wages. That's why employers are moving away from resume-only screening toward seeing real proof of skill before they bring someone on.
On Vetano, every candidate in New York is ID-verified and shows their skills on video before you ever see their profile, so you spend your minimum-wage hours on people who can actually do the job.
Federal vs. New York
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hr. New York has set a higher floor at $16.50/hr, when state and federal minimums differ, the higher one applies.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in New York?+
$16.50 per hour as of 2026-05-15. NYC, Long Island, and Westchester $16.50; rest of state $15.50.
What is the tipped minimum wage in New York?+
$11.00 per hour. Employers must make up any shortfall if tips don't reach the full minimum.
Is New York's minimum wage going up?+
No scheduled increases at this time.
Minimum wage in every state
Browse 2026 rates for all 50 states + DC, or see the full wage index.