Before we get into the details of the New York minimum wage, it’s worth noting that New York is one of the most fascinating cities in America and the world at large. It’s a beautiful city full of skyscrapers, bright lights, yellow taxis, and, most of all, opportunities.
In the Big Apple, some highly ambitious companies and some extremely bright minds get together to make things happen.
It’s also a friendly environment for foreigners. New York City has a population of about 8.4 million people, with 36 percent of them being foreign-born.
In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know regarding New York’s minimum wage.
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Working in New York
New York’s workforce contributes to one of the world’s greatest urban economies. In every way, New York City is a global financial center whose performance has far-reaching consequences around the world, for better or worse.
Many people employed in New York’s private sector work for international firms, and the city is genuinely a worldwide commercial hub. International businesses naturally attract an international workforce, and over half of New York’s wage earners are foreign-born.
Working in New York is undeniably glamorous for many foreign employees. The hustle and bustle of the huge metropolis, combined with a competitive business environment, make expert postings in New York remarkable.
Employers benefit from a varied and inventive workforce because they may hire the best and brightest from a pool of highly trained and qualified individuals.
If you’re looking for work in New York, the job market at the New York Times, whether in print or online, should be your first stop. Alternatively, a standard internet search for vacancies and employers in New York City should yield a variety of alternative search tools and databases.
Look for contact information for appropriate businesses in the New York Yellow Pages, or ask your local US Chamber of Commerce for a list of corporations with branches or business affiliates in New York.
If you want an overview of the US labor market and additional information on currently in-demand vocations, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start.
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What is a Minimum Wage?
The goal of minimum wages is to safeguard workers from receiving inequitably low compensation.
They contribute to ensuring that everyone receives a fair and equal share of the benefits of progress, as well as a minimum living wage for those who are working and in need of such protection. Minimum wages can also be part of a policy to combat poverty and eliminate inequality, particularly between men and women, by advocating the right to equal pay for equal work.
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How Many States have a Minimum Wage that’s at least $15 an hour in the U.S.?
There are just three states that meet this criteria as of the first of the year 2023: Washington ($15.74), California ($15.50), and Massachusetts ($15).
New York City Minimum Wage
New York’s minimum wage is currently $14.20. This exceeds the $7.25 Federal Minimum Wage. You deserve the greater state minimum pay. Tipped workers, some student workers, and other exempt occupations in New York are excluded from the minimum wage.
The New York minimum wage was last raised by $7.05 in 2008, from $7.15 to $14.20. New York City’s minimum wage for large enterprises (11 or more employees) is $15.00 per hour (10 or fewer employees). Westchester and Long Island have a $15.00 minimum wage.
New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County food service workers earn $15.00 per hour, whereas the remainder of the state pays $13.20. The statewide minimum wage for fast food workers is $15.00 per hour.
Unless you or your occupation are excluded from the minimum wage under state or federal law, New York businesses must pay you $14.20 per hour.
Employees in all other New York Counties
For any workweek above 40 hours, an employee is owed at least 1.5 times the standard minimum wage. Additionally, in some areas, workers who exceed a specific daily hour threshold are mandated to be paid this overtime rate (New York law does not specify a daily overtime limit).
The Fair Labor Standards Act ensures that workers in New York State receive fair payment for all overtime hours that meet the law’s requirements. You can make a claim with the New York Department of Labor for unpaid overtime if your employer does not pay the appropriate amount of overtime compensation.
What is the Minimum Wage in Upstate New York?
The minimum wage in the Upstate will increase from $13.20 to $14.20 per hour. Employees outside of New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County will be affected by the move, which takes effect on December 31. For someone working a full-time minimum-wage job, the rise of 70 cents per hour translates to an extra $28 per week.
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Why are there Minimum Wage Laws in New York?
Employees are protected against unjust compensation by the New York minimum wage act. After all, if you work and contribute to society, you deserve to be paid enough to meet your basic needs and those of your family.
It’s important to note, however, that not every employee is entitled to a minimum wage.
For example, if your employer is small or you work as an independent contractor rather than an employee, you may not be protected by the law or the law may be different in your circumstance. The minimum wage in New York applies to small businesses, however, those working for businesses with fewer than 11 employees saw a slower increase.
Other industries, in addition to independent contractors and small businesses, may be exempt from the New York minimum wage. This is because the employee receives remuneration that is not directly from the company but provides income to help them meet their basic living expenditures in some circumstances.
Commissioned salespeople, for example, may earn far more than the minimum wage, but their basic compensation is lower.
However, you have the right to pursue legal action if you believe the laws apply to you and you are not receiving adequate compensation under the law.
Minimum Wage in New York for Tipped Workers
For employees who get tips from customers, the minimum wage is calculated differently. Waiters and waitresses fall into this category.
Employers can meet the minimum wage requirement by combining an employer-paid “cash wage” with a credit or allowance for tips received from customers.
In New York City, for example, the minimum wage for food service workers employed by large businesses is $15.00 per hour.
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Do Waiters Get to Keep 100% of Tips?
The Internal Revenue Service requires you to report any cash or vehicle-based tips you get and deduct the amount from the recipient’s check. Therefore, it is not entirely accurate to say that servers pocket all of their gratuities. All servers keep 100% tips
Workers not covered by minimum wage law in New York
These are some of the employees not covered by the New York minimum wage act:
- Executives and administrators earning more than 75 times the minimum wage rate
- Professionals
- Outside salespersons
- Taxicab drivers
- Government employees (but certain non-teaching employees are subject to the minimum wage)
- Part-time babysitters
- Ministers and members of religious orders
- Volunteers, learners, apprentices and students working in non-profits, and
- Students obtaining vocational experience
Minimum Wage in New york by Types of Industry
As evidenced by minimum wage laws, there is one major disparity between industries. One encompasses all industries, jobs, and workers who earn no additional compensation for their services other than their pay. Other industries include those that have a tradition of accepting gratuities from clients, sometimes known as tips. In the next paragraph, we’ll go over those distinctions and explain them in more detail.
Furthermore, rules known as ‘Wage Orders’ establish industry-specific individual criteria. These Wage Orders may have rates that differ from the federal minimum wage.
Which State Have the Highest Minimum Wage?
The District of Columbia had the highest minimum wage in the United States as of the first of the year 2023, with a rate of $16.50 per hour. The next state in line had a minimum wage of 15.74 dollars in the United States per hour, and that is Washington.
Which State’s Minimum Wage is the Lowest of all the States in the U.S.?
Georgia and Wyoming
These states have a minimum wage of $5.15 per hour, making them the two states with the lowest minimum wages in the country. Despite this, employers in Georgia and Wyoming that are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act are still required to pay the higher federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Conclusion
Minimum wages in NY vary by industry and location, with different minimum wage rates. When working a full-time job, the state’s minimum wage is the absolute minimum you should be paid – especially if you are putting in overtime.
Information is critical in ensuring that you are not working for naught and that you are not being underpaid for your efforts. Finding out what the minimum wage requirement is for the job you do is critical and will only help you in the long term.
Additionally, making sure your understanding of the most recent labor regulations is up to date is a wonderful approach to ensure you are being appropriately compensated. Given the fact that some critical decisions have been made with insufficient media attention, it is in your best interest to brush up on your knowledge from time to time.
FAQs about Minimum wage in New York
Is minimum wage in New York State Legit?
Yes, the minimum wage in New York is $12.50 per hour.
What is the minimum wage in New York City?
In New York City, the current minimum wage is $15.00 for large employers (those with more than or equal to 10 employees) and $15 for small businesses (less than or equal to 10 employees).
What is the New York under 18 minimum wage?
New York’s minimum wage for workers under the age of 18 is $7.25 per hour. Your eligibility for the minimum wage, however, is determined by the type of work you do and the county in which you work.
What is the Minimum Wage in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties
In these counties, the minimum wage will rise to $14 per hour.
