New York Minimum Wage Increase 2015

Effective December 31, 2014 the New York minimum wage increases from $8.00 to $8.75 per hour. This increase covers minimum wage employees in most business sectors, despite the fact that New York has a complex web of wage orders covering different industries.

On December 31, 2015 the New York minimum wage increases from $8.75 to $9.00 per hour. This increase under the General Industry Minimum Wage Act covers most workers, including domestic workers, although there are some exceptions for workers on farms and in the hospitality industry.

Each year, the New York Department of Labor, Labor Standards Division hosts free seminars for employers to learn more about labor law compliance: minimum wage, child labor and meal break laws, among others. The New York Commissioner of Labor enforces the state minimum wage law. Penalties to employers include payment of back wages, plus 200% interest and civil penalties. In addition, state law permits criminal prosecution of employers who are in violation of the state labor laws.

New York is not alone in increasing the minimum wage for 2015. At least 11 states have passed minimum wage increases via legislation, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, West Virginia and Washington DC. About 10 additional states have annual cost-of-living increases in the minimum wage that go into effect on January 1, 2015 including Arizona, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.

These changes require New York employers (and those in other states) to update their relevant labor law posters.