2026 Brings a Wave of New State and Local Laws for New York Employers

New York’s minimum wage increases to US$17.00/hour for employees in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester County, and to US$16.00/hour elsewhere in the state. Other adjustments include higher rates for overtime, tipped food-service workers’ cash wages, overtime for tipped employees, and tip credits. Both the minimum wage and cash wage for tipped food-service workers have also increased in New York.

Changes to the Exempt Salary Threshold

Certain employees may be exempt from the minimum wage and overtime provisions under applicable law, subject to satisfying job duties and salary requirements. Common exemptions include executive, managerial, and administrative positions. In addition to satisfying requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA),¹ employees in New York must earn at least a specified minimum weekly salary to qualify as exempt. 

Effective 1 January 2026, the salary threshold for exempt status increased as follows:

• For NYC, Long Island, and Westchester County, the weekly minimum increased from US$1,237.70 (US$64,350 per year) to US$1,275.50 (US$66,300 per year); and

• For the rest of New York state, the weekly minimum increased from US$1,161.65 (US$60,405.80 per year) to US$1,199.10 (US$62,353.20 per year).

  
  

Increase to the Uniform Allowance 

In New York, if employees are required to wear uniforms, employers must either maintain the uniforms or provide weekly Uniform Maintenance Pay² based on hours worked. A “required uniform” is work-specific clothing that cannot be worn outside of work, such as branded items, chef’s coats, or aprons. Some employers, including those covered by the Farm Workers Minimum Wage Order³ and certain nonprofits, are exempt from the Uniform Maintenance Pay regulations. Below are the updated 2026 weekly Uniform Maintenance Pay.

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