History of the Minimum Wage in New York State

History of the General Hourly Minimum Wage in New York State
Effective Date Minimum Wage Rate
Prior to 1960 State minimum wage rates varied from industry to industry
October 1, 1960 Newly established general minimum wage set at $1.00
October 15, 1962 Increased from $1.00 to $1.15
October 15, 1964 Increased from $1.15 to $1.25
January 1, 1967 Increased from $1.25 to $1.50
February 1, 1968 Increased from $1.50 to $1.60
July 1, 1970 Increased from $1.60 to $1.85
May 1, 1974 Increased from $1.85 to $2.00
January 1, 1975 Increased from $2.00 to $2.10
January 1, 1976 Increased from $2.10 to $2.30
October 6, 1978 Increased from $2.30 to $2.65
January 1, 1979 Increased from $2.65 to $2.90
January 1, 1980 Increased from $2.90 to $3.10
January 1, 1981 Increased from $3.10 to $3.35
April 1, 1990 Increased from $3.35 to $3.80
April 1, 1991 Increased from $3.80 to $4.25
March 31, 2000 Increased from $4.25 to $5.15
January 1, 2005 Increased from $5.15 to $6.00
January 1, 2006 Increased from $6.00 to $6.75
January 1, 2007 Increased from $6.75 to $7.15
July 24, 2009 Increased from $7.15 to $7.25
December 31, 2013 Increased from $7.25 to $8.00
December 31, 2014 Increased from $8.00 to $8.75
December 31, 2015 Increased from $8.75 to $9.00

 

Beginning December 31, 2016, annual increases in the general minimum wage were determined by employment location, industry, and number of employees (in New York City only). 

Basic Minimum Hourly Rates (other than fast food employees)

New York City:
Large employers of 11 or more employees:
$11.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$13.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018.

Small employers of 10 or fewer employees:
$10.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$12.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$13.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2019.

Remainder of downstate (Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties):
$10.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$11.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$12.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$13.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2019;
$14.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2020;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2021.

Remainder of state (outside of New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties):
$9.70 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$10.40 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$11.10 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$11.80 per hour on and after December 31, 2019;
$12.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2020;
$13.20 per hour on and after December 31, 2021.

 


 

Minimum Hourly Rates for Fast Food Employees

New York City:
$12.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$13.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$15.00 per hour on and after December 31, 2018.

Outside of New York City:
$10.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2016;
$11.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2017;
$12.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2018;
$13.75 per hour on and after December 31, 2019;
$14.50 per hour on and after December 31, 2020;
$15.00 per hour on and after July 1, 2021.


If you have any questions about New York State's minimum wage, please see the State Department of Labor's minimum wage resource page.