2020 New York Minimum Wage
The 2020 New York Minimum Wage is $11.80.
Effective 2019-12-31Source: History of the Minimum Wage in New York State (DOL)Verified 2026-08-30
Compared with 2019
| Item | 2019 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $15 | $11.80 | -$3.20 (-21.3%) |
Who it applies to
Employers in the remainder of New York State outside New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties.
What changed this year, and why
The general hourly minimum wage in New York was $11.80, effective December 31, 2019, for the remainder of the state outside New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties.
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
In New York, the state minimum wage is $11.80 per hour, but certain areas within the state have set higher local minimum wage rates. For example, New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County all have minimum wage rates that exceed the state's general rate. Employers in these locations must pay the higher local rate, not the lower state rate. This means that a worker in New York City may be entitled to a significantly higher hourly wage than a worker in upstate New York, even though both are employed in the same state. The state allows local jurisdictions to establish higher minimum wages to reflect the higher cost of living in certain areas. Employers operating in multiple locations across New York must ensure they are paying the correct rate for each specific location where their employees work. Workers should verify which minimum wage rate applies to their county or city to ensure they are being paid correctly.
Long Island, 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
History of the Minimum Wage in New York State (DOL)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in New York who have questions about minimum wage rates or who believe they are not being paid correctly should contact the New York State Department of Labor. The state Department of Labor maintains a minimum wage resource page with information about current rates, regional variations, and employee rights. This state agency is responsible for administering and enforcing New York's minimum wage laws. Employees who have complaints about unpaid wages, incorrect pay rates, or other wage violations can reach out to the state labor office for guidance and assistance. The Department of Labor provides resources to help both workers and employers understand their rights and obligations under New York's minimum wage laws. Workers should be prepared to provide information about their employer, the wages they received, and the time period in question when contacting the agency about a wage complaint.
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
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; $14.20 per hour on and after December 31, 2022; $15.00 per hour on and after January 1, 2024; $15.50 per hour on and after January 1, 2025; $16.00 per hour on and after January 1, 2026.
Other years
Every New York Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state