New Jersey and New York Raise Minimum Wage

Minimum wage increases in NJ and NYStarting on January 1, 2017, the minimum wage has increased in New York State, New York City and New Jersey.  Specifically:

New Jersey

The minimum wage has increased from $8.38 to $8.44 per hour as a cost of living increase.  Under New Jersey law, there will be additional cost of living increases in future years.

New York City

For employees who work for a “fast food establishment”* the minimum wage has gone up from $10.50 to $12.00 per hour.  It will increase again by $1.50 per hour in both January 2018 and 2019, when it will reach $15.00 per hour.

For other employees in New York City who work for businesses with more than 10 employees, the minimum wage has increased from $9.00 to $11.00 per hour.  It will go up to $13.00 hour in January 2018 and to $15.00 per hour in January 2019.

For employees in New York City who work for businesses with 10 or fewer employees, the minimum wage has raised from $9.00 to $10.50 per hour.  It will increase by $1.50 per hour each year until it reaches $15.00 per hour in January 2020.

New York State

For employees who work for a “fast food establishment”* the minimum wage has gone up from $9.75 to $10.75 per hour.  It will continue to rise by $1.00 per hour each year until it reaches $15.00 per hour in January 2022.

For other employees working in Nassau, Suffolk or Westchester County, the minimum wage has gone up from $9.00 to $10.00 per hour.   It will continue to increase by $1.00 per hour each year until it reaches $15.00 per hour in January 2022.

For other employees throughout the rest of New York State, the minimum wage has increased from $9.00 to $9.70 per hour.  It will continue to go up by $0.70 per hour annually until it reaches $15.00 per hour in January 2025.

*A “fast food establishment” means a business that (1) primarily purpose is to sell food or drinks; (2) customers pay before they eat; and (3) is part of a chain of at least 30 locations nationally.

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