2018 New York Minimum Wage
The 2018 New York Minimum Wage is $13.
Effective 2018-01-01Source: History of the Minimum Wage in New York State (DOL)Verified 2026-09-02
Compared with 2017
| Item | 2017 | 2018 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $11 | $13 | +$2 (+18.2%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees in New York State subject to the general hourly minimum wage
What changed this year, and why
The general hourly minimum wage in New York was $13 per hour effective December 31, 2017, an increase from $11 per hour in 2017.
Common questions
- Did the minimum wage change during 2018?
- Yes. The minimum wage in New York varied by location, industry, and employer size. The general hourly minimum wage for 2018 was $13 per hour, up from $11 per hour in 2017.
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
In New York, the state establishes a baseline minimum wage that applies across the state, but individual cities and counties can set their own higher minimum wage rates. When a local jurisdiction does so, employers in that area must pay the elevated local rate rather than the statewide floor. The state’s own minimum wage schedule shows this pattern: within New York City, and within Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties (Long Island and Westchester), the hourly rate has historically been higher than the rate for the remainder of the state. For workers in those jurisdictions, the local standard controls whenever it exceeds the state minimum, and employers operating in multiple areas must track and apply the correct rate for each location where employees work.
Remainder of state (outside of New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties):
History of the Minimum Wage in New York State (DOL)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In New York, the general hourly minimum wage for 2018 was $13 for large employers in New York City. Workers and employers with questions about the state's minimum wage should consult the New York State Department of Labor's minimum wage resource page. This page provides detailed information about current rates, special categories of workers, and employer obligations. If you believe your employer has not paid you the correct minimum wage, you can file a wage complaint with the Department of Labor. The Department investigates wage complaints and can help recover unpaid wages. It is important to keep records of hours worked and wages received, as this documentation can support a complaint. The Department of Labor's resource page also provides contact information and instructions for filing a claim. New York workers have the right to be paid at least the applicable minimum wage for all hours worked.
If you have any questions about New York State's minimum wage, please see the State Department of Labor's minimum wage resource page.
History of the Minimum Wage in New York State (DOL)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
History of the Minimum Wage in New York State (DOL)
- Hourly
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.
Other years
Every New York Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state