New York's minimum wage does not go up on January 1, 2027. It stays at $17.00 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, and $16.00 in the rest of the state. Tipped food service workers stay at $11.35 and $10.70. The Governor has proposed raising the rates on March 1, 2027, but that is a proposal, not law.
Under New York's minimum wage law, annual inflation increases were set to begin in 2027. The law also includes an exception, often called the off-ramp, that pauses the increase when certain conditions are met. Those conditions were met, so there is no increase on January 1, 2027.
Many websites still list a January 2027 increase for New York. The Governor's office confirms there is none.
| Region | Minimum wage | Tipped food service cash wage | Tip credit |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City | $17.00 | $11.35 | $5.65 |
| Long Island & Westchester | $17.00 | $11.35 | $5.65 |
| Rest of state | $16.00 | $10.70 | $5.30 |
These rates have applied since January 1, 2026 and stay the same on January 1, 2027. Tipped rates are for food service workers at hospitality employers.
Because the rates do not change, your minimum wage labor cost does not change on January 1, 2027. Pick your region to see your rates and the next possible change.
The March 1, 2027 figure is the Governor's proposal. It needs the Legislature's approval and is not law. We have not confirmed a tipped cash wage under the proposal. We will update this page when it is decided.
Assuming a January 2027 inflation raise. The off-ramp was triggered. There is no January 1 increase.
Treating the March 1 proposal as final. $17.60 / $16.55 is the Governor's proposal and needs legislative approval.
Taking the tip credit on side-work days. More than 2 hours or 20% of a shift on non-tipped work means no tip credit for that day.
No. It stays $17.00 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester and $16.00 in the rest of the state, because the off-ramp condition in state law was met.
$17.00 per hour on January 1, 2027, the same as 2026. Tipped food service workers: $11.35 cash wage.
For food service workers at hospitality employers: $11.35 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, and $10.70 in the rest of the state. Unchanged on January 1, 2027.
Only if the Legislature approves the Governor's proposal: $17.60 for New York City, Long Island and Westchester, $16.55 for the rest of the state. As of November 9, 2026, it is not law.
New York's law ties increases to inflation from 2027 but includes an exception (the off-ramp) that pauses the increase when certain conditions are met. Those conditions were met for January 1, 2027.
KnowAhead sends restaurant owners a free weekly heads-up on food prices, wage changes and weather that affect their costs, with what to do about it. We will tell you if the March 1 proposal becomes law.
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Last verified November 9, 2026.