Minimum wage goes up another 50 cents to $15.50 an hour starting Jan. 1

Chart: NYS Department of Labor

The minimum wage will go up another 50 cents an hour in Orleans County and upstate counties beginning Jan. 1.

The minimum will go from $15 to $15.50 an hour. It continues a trend where the minimum wage has increased from $11.80 in 2020 to $12.50 in 2021, $13.20 in 2022, $14.20 in 2023 and $15 in 2024.

The new minimum will be higher in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, going from $16 t0 $16.50 an hour.

The minimum wage will go up another 50 cents in 2026 to $16 an hour locally. Then, starting in 2027, the increase will be at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region – the most accurate regional measure of inflation. An “off-ramp” is available in the event of certain economic or budget conditions, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office said.

“Putting money back in your pockets has been the focus of my first three budgets, and that includes increasing minimum wage for the lowest earners across the state,” Hochul said in a news release. “With rising costs of living, this increase will help to lighten the burdens of inflation for New Yorkers while providing businesses with the time needed to adjust.”

Minimum wage earners who do not see the increase reflected in their paychecks can file a wage complaint on the New York State Department of Labor’s website or by calling 833-910-4378.

“By gradually increasing wages for the lowest earners, we are ensuring businesses can adjust to the change while also helping more families make ends meet,” said Roberta Reardon, the state Department of Labor commissioner. “In this current era of inflation and rising costs, every cent counts for all New Yorkers, especially workers who earn minimum wage.”