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 2026-09-01
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
The source page behind this section is a DOL history of the state's general hourly minimum wage and does not discuss whether counties, cities, or other local governments in New York may set a rate above the state floor. In practice, New York's minimum-wage schedule is set at the state level and is already differentiated by location — New York City, Long Island and Westchester, and the remainder of the state each have their own hourly rate, with New York City large employers at $13 per hour on and after December 31, 2017 and the remainder of the state at $11.10 for the same period. Whether any individual municipality within those regions is free to add a further local minimum is a question that the state's minimum-wage statutes answer, not this historical table, and the table contains no sentence on point. Until the source is expanded, no quote is available to support this heading.
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
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