New York Minimum Wage & Labor Laws (2026)
In 2026, the New York minimum wage is $16.00/hour. Overtime is 1.5× the regular rate over 40 hours a week. Below are the wage, overtime, final-paycheck and break rules, a calculator pre-set to New York, and how to file a wage claim if you're owed money.
- Overtime
- 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. New York follows the federal FLSA weekly rule.
- Tipped pay
- State-set cash wage. Tipped cash wage varies by region and industry (e.g. NYC food-service ~$11.35, service employees ~$14.20).
- Final paycheck
- Fired: Next regular payday. Quit: Next regular payday.
- Meal & rest breaks
- Meal: 30 to 60 min unpaid meal (varies by shift timing and industry). Rest: No state requirement (none mandated).
New York pay & overtime calculator
Pre-set to New York. Enter your rate and hours.
Your hours
Your pay this week
OT $30.00/hrNew York follows the FLSA weekly rule: 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
New York figures are current for 2026 and compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor and New York's labor department. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Get an email when the New York minimum wage changes
No change is announced yet. We'll email you when one is, with the date and the source.
How to file a wage claim in New York
To recover unpaid wages in New York, file with New York State Dept. of Labor, Division of Labor Standards. Federal law lets you claim up to 2 years of back pay (3 if the violation was willful), plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
- Agency
- New York State Dept. of Labor, Division of Labor Standards. File a wage claim
- Federal window
- 2 years of back pay, or 3 if the violation was willful, plus equal liquidated damages.
- New York adds
- New York allows a 6-year look-back, liquidated (double) damages, and interest.
Step by step
- 1Gather your records
Collect pay stubs, time records, schedules and any texts about hours. In New York, your own honest records can carry a claim if the employer's are missing.
- 2Work out what you're owed
The back-pay estimator adds up the unpaid wages and how far back you can recover them.
- 3Send a written demand
Many disputes settle after a dated letter that states the amount owed and the deadline you're giving the employer to pay.
- 4File with New York State Dept. of Labor, Division of Labor Standards
If the employer doesn't pay, file a wage claim with the agency below. Filing is free and you don't need a lawyer.
- 5Mind the deadline
Federal claims must be filed within 2 years (3 if willful). Your state may set a shorter deadline for its own process, so don't wait.
New York wage claim questions
Who do I file an unpaid-wage claim with in New York?
New York State Dept. of Labor, Division of Labor Standards. You can also sue in court, often with an employment attorney.
How far back can I recover unpaid wages in New York?
Federal law (FLSA) allows 2 years of back pay, or 3 years for a willful violation, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages. New York allows a 6-year look-back, liquidated (double) damages, and interest.
Can my employer retaliate for filing a wage claim in New York?
No. Federal and state law prohibit firing, demoting or punishing you for asserting your right to be paid. Retaliation is a separate violation you can also claim.
Cities in New York with a higher minimum wage
These New York localities set a local minimum above the state's $16.00/hr: