Minimum Wage Thresholds
Hourly Wage
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009. Many states also have minimum wage laws. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state In cases where an employee is subject to both state and federal minimum wage laws, the employee is entitled to the higher minimum wage.
New York State Minimum Hourly Wage
| Location | 1/1/23 | 1/1/24 | 1/1/25 | 1/1/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater New York State | $14.20 per hour | $15.00 per hour | $15.50 per hour | $16.00 per hour |
New York City Long Island Westchester Co. |
$15.00 per hour |
$16.00 per hour |
$16.50 per hour |
$17.00 per hour |
After 2026, the State's minimum wage may increase at a rate determined by the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the Northeast Region.
Exempt Salary Threshold for Executive and Administrative Exemptions
The federal exempt threshold for executive, administrative and professional exemptions is $684.00 per week ($35,568 annually). Like minimum wage, New York State is higher than the Federal threshold.
New York State Exempt Salary Threshold*
| Location | 1/1/23 | 1/1/24 | 1/1/25 | 1/1/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GreaterNew York State | $1,064.25 per week ($55,341 annually) | $1,125.00 per week ($58,500annually) | $1,162.50 per week ($60,450 annually) | $1,200.00 per week ($62,400annually) |
New YorkCity Long Island Westchester Co. | $1,125.00 per week ($58,500 annually) | $1,200.00 per week ($62,400annually) | $1,237.50 per week ($64,350 annually) | $1,275.00 per week ($66,300annually) |
* For Executive and Administrative Exemptions only. Professional Exemption salary threshold is $684.00 per week ($35,568). However, Cornell strives to apply the NYS minimum threshold for all exemptions except in cases when the employee resides in a state with a higher threshold.
Related Hourly and Salary Thresholds
The following states have a higher minimum wage and/or exempt salary threshold than New York State, please be mindful when hiring and/or adjusting pay.
Other States Minimum Hourly Wage
| Location | 1/1/23 | 1/1/24 | 1/1/25 | 1/1/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $15.74 per hour | $16.28 per hour | N/A | N/A |
| California 2 | $15.50 per hour | $16.00 per hour | N/A | N/A |
Other States Minimum Exempt Salary Threshold
| Location | 1/1/23 | 1/1/24 | 1/1/25 | 1/1/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $1,259.20 per week ($65,478.40annually) | $1,302.40 per week ($67,728annually) | N/A | N/A |
| California * | $1,240.00 per week ($64,480annually) | $1,280.00 per week ($66,560annually) | N/A | N/A |
* Does not include the city/county minimum thresholds for California which may vary depending on the city/county where an employee resides/works in California.
Related Computer Exemption Threshold
As of January 1, 2025, California’s compensation thresholds for select computer professionals are set at $118,657.43 per year, $56.97 per hour, or $9,888.13 per month.
- Must be employed as a computer systems analyst, computer programmer, software engineer or other similarly skilled worker in the computer field performing the duties described below;
- The employee’s primary duty must consist of:
- The application of systems analysis techniques and procedures, including consulting with users, to determine hardware, software or system functional specifications;
- The design, development, documentation, analysis, creation, testing or modification of computer systems or programs, including prototypes, based on and related to user or system design specifications;
- The design, documentation, testing, creation or modification of computer programs related to machine operating systems; or
- A combination of the aforementioned duties, the performance of which requires the same level of skills.
- The computer employee exemption does not include employees engaged in the manufacture or repair of computer hardware and related equipment.
- Work is highly dependent upon, or facilitated by, the use of computers and computer software programs but who are not primarily engaged in computer systems analysis and programming or other similarly skilled computer-related occupations identified in the primary duties test described above, are also not exempt under the computer employee exemption.