New York suspends automatic minimum wage increase for 2027
The statewide minimum wage in New York state will not automatically increase on Jan. 1, 2027 , according to a current Labor Department announcement. It will remain at $17 an hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester , while the rest of the state will see it at $16 an hour .
The law provides for annual increases linked to inflation, but also contains conditions that could stop this process. For 2027, one of these exceptions has been activated, so the automatic increase has been suspended. Department of Labor
According to Bloomberg Tax, in a report dated October 6, 2026 , the suspension is related to a decline in the number of jobs in the state, which has activated the relevant legal provision. This is a significant development for employees who are paid the legal minimum and were expecting a raise early next year. news.bloombergtax.com
However, there is an exception for home care workers : their minimum wage will increase to $20 an hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester, and to $19 in the rest of the state.
Governor Kathy Hochul is proposing to change the legal requirements that are hindering growth. The proposal is not yet an approved amendment , so the announced rates remain the current base for 2027. Department of Labor