Overview
- NELP counts increases in 19 states and 88 jurisdictions beginning Jan. 1, 2026, as the federal floor remains $7.25 an hour.
- In New York, the hourly minimum moves to $17 in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, and to $16 across the rest of the state.
- New York ends fixed-step hikes after this raise, with future adjustments tied to the Northeast urban Consumer Price Index starting in 2027.
- California sets a statewide minimum of $16.90 per hour, while the city of Los Angeles reaches $17.87 under its local standard.
- Arizona lifts its minimum to $15.15 for nonexempt workers and raises the cap for administrative wage claims to the ICA from $5,000 to $12,000 under HB 2381.