Earlier this year, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation increasing the New York State minimum wage in three stages. Currently, the New York and federal minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour. The legislation was included in the new budget, and provides that the minimum wage rate will increase to $8.00 on December 31, 2013; to $8.75 on December 31, 2014; and to $9.00 on December 31, 2015.
Excluded from the increase is the minimum wage currently paid to food service and other tipped employees. It appears, however, that minimum wage increases to these employees will be implemented in the future.
As a result of the New York minimum wage increases, as of December 31, 2013, New York’s minimum wage rate will be higher than that under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). New York employers will be required to comply with the higher minimum wage rate.
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