Last verified: November 8, 2026. By Joe Bjorklund · How we check · Report an error
Key Takeaways
- New York City’s minimum wage is $17.00 an hour in 2026, the same as Long Island and Westchester; the rest of New York State is $16.00 (NYS Department of Labor).
- The minimum wage stays $17.00 on January 1, 2027, because a condition in state law that skips the inflation increase was met (NYS Department of Labor).
- Tipped food service workers in New York City get a cash wage of at least $11.35 an hour plus a tip credit of up to $5.65 (NYS Department of Labor).
- A full-time New York City minimum-wage job pays $35,360 a year before taxes (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation: $17 × 2,080 hours).
- Under the 40× rent rule, a $35,360 income qualifies for rent of about $884 a month, far below New York City’s Q3 2026 median asking rent of $3,785 (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation; Realtor.com).
What is the minimum wage in NYC in 2026?
New York City’s minimum wage is $17.00 an hour in 2026, according to the New York State Department of Labor. The same rate applies on Long Island and in Westchester County, while the rest of New York State has a $16.00 minimum. The rate is set by New York State law.
| Region | 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New York City (all five boroughs) | $17.00 | $17.00 |
| Long Island and Westchester | $17.00 | $17.00 |
| Rest of New York State | $16.00 | $16.00 |
Will the NYC minimum wage go up in 2027?
No. The New York City minimum wage stays $17.00 an hour on January 1, 2027, according to the New York State Department of Labor, because the conditions for one of the law’s “off-ramps” were met, which skips the scheduled inflation-based increase. Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed changing the off-ramp so workers could still get the increase; the Department of Labor does not list that proposal as enacted.
Home care aides are the exception: their minimum wage rises to $20.00 an hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester on January 1, 2027, according to the Department of Labor.
What is the tipped minimum wage in NYC?
Tipped food service workers in New York City must be paid a cash wage of at least $11.35 an hour, and employers may count up to $5.65 an hour in tips toward the $17.00 minimum, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Tipped service employees get at least $14.15 in cash wages with a tip credit of up to $2.85. Only hospitality employers may take a tip credit.
| Worker | Minimum cash wage | Maximum tip credit |
|---|---|---|
| Tipped food service workers | $11.35 | $5.65 |
| Tipped service employees | $14.15 | $2.85 |
How much does a minimum-wage job pay in NYC per year?
A full-time minimum-wage job in New York City pays $35,360 a year before taxes (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation: $17.00 × 2,080 hours), or about $2,947 a month. Overtime above 40 hours a week must be paid at 1.5 times the regular rate, which is $25.50 an hour at the minimum wage.
| Period | Pay before taxes |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $17.00 |
| Weekly (40 hours) | $680 |
| Monthly (approx.) | $2,947 |
| Yearly (2,080 hours) | $35,360 |
| Overtime hourly rate (1.5×) | $25.50 |
Can you afford NYC rent on minimum wage?
Most New York City listings are out of reach on one full-time minimum-wage income. Under the 40× rule many landlords use, a $35,360 income qualifies for rent of about $884 a month (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation), while the citywide median asking rent was $3,785 in Q3 2026 and the lowest borough median, the Bronx, was $3,233, according to Realtor.com.
Options for lower-income renters include rent-stabilized apartments, roommates and income-restricted housing. See rent-stabilized apartments, the Bronx cost of living and the NYC salary calculator.
What salary makes a NYC worker exempt from overtime?
Executive and administrative employees in New York City must earn at least $1,275 a week, or $66,300 a year, in 2026 to be exempt from overtime, according to a JD Supra summary of New York’s 2026 wage rules. Employees paid less must receive overtime even if they have a salaried title.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in NYC in 2026?
The minimum wage in New York City is $17.00 an hour in 2026, according to the New York State Department of Labor. The same rate applies on Long Island and in Westchester County, while the rest of New York State has a $16.00 minimum wage. The rate is set by New York State law and applies in all five boroughs.
Is NYC minimum wage going up in 2027?
No. New York City’s minimum wage stays $17.00 an hour on January 1, 2027, according to the New York State Department of Labor, because the conditions for one of the law’s off-ramps were met. Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed changing that rule, but the Department of Labor does not list the change as enacted.
What is the tipped minimum wage in NYC?
Tipped food service workers in New York City must receive a cash wage of at least $11.35 an hour, and employers may count up to $5.65 in tips toward the $17.00 minimum, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Tipped service employees get at least $14.15 in cash wages, with a tip credit of up to $2.85.
How much is $17 an hour per year?
At $17.00 an hour, a full-time worker earning New York City’s 2026 minimum wage makes $35,360 a year before taxes, based on 2,080 hours (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation). That is about $2,947 a month or $680 a week. Overtime above 40 hours a week pays at least $25.50 an hour.
Can you live in NYC on minimum wage?
It is very hard on one income. A full-time NYC minimum-wage job pays $35,360 a year, which qualifies for about $884 a month in rent under the 40× rule many landlords use (NewYorkCostOfLiving.com calculation). Realtor.com’s citywide median asking rent was $3,785 in Q3 2026, so one full-time minimum-wage income falls far short of a median-priced listing.
Related: How much you need to make in NYC · NYC salary calculator · NYC income tax · How much it costs to live in NYC · Rent-stabilized apartments · Compare the five boroughs · The Bronx cost of living · NYC sales tax · MTA fares
Sources
- NYS Department of Labor, Minimum wage (2026)
- Office of the Governor of New York, New York State minimum wage 2027 (2026)
- JD Supra (Harris Beach Murtha), New York employers face increases in wage requirements in 2026 (overtime and exempt-salary thresholds) (2025)
- Realtor.com, 2026 Q3 NYC Rental Report (Oct 27, 2026)