On January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in New York State will see an increase of $0.50. In the New York Metropolitan area, which encompasses New York City, Westchester, and Long Island, the minimum wage will rise from $16 to $16.50 per hour. For the rest of the state, wages will increase from $15 to $15.50 per hour.
Another increment of $0.50 is scheduled for January 1, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, the minimum wage will be linked to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) and adjusted annually. Specific measures called “off-ramps” may halt these indexed increases during economic downturns or budget crises.
For further details on this topic, information is available at: https://dol.ny.gov/minimum-wage-0
Additionally, beginning January 1, 2025, New York State will implement a new policy requiring paid time off for prenatal and medical care related to pregnancy. This initiative was proposed in Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State address.
The policy grants any privately employed pregnant New Yorker an additional 20 hours of paid sick leave specifically for pregnancy-related medical appointments. This is in addition to their existing sick leave benefits.
More information can be found at: https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-state-paid-prenatal-leave
