What the Minimum Wage Was in New York State in 2018
In 2018, New York state maintained a split minimum wage system that varied by location and employer size. The statewide base rate was $10.50 per hour outside New York City, while New York City saw higher floors depending on business size. Certain counties and municipalities also set local floors above the state minimum where allowed. This overview clarifies which rates applied in 2018, who was covered, and how the phased increases—authorized under the 2013–2015 laws—unfold across regions.
Key 2018 Minimum Wage Rates by Region
Rates in 2018 reflected scheduled increases under New York’s multiyear plan. The following table summarizes verified wage floors for standard, non-tipped full-time employees by county and employer characteristics. Local rules in New York City and Nassau County added further distinctions based on business size.
| Region / Condition | Minimum Wage (2018) | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| New York State (outside NYC, outside fast food) | $10.50 per hour | NY Labor Law § 61 |
| New York City, employers with 11 or more employees | $13.50 per hour | NYC Admin Code § 19-125 |
| New York City, employers with 10 or fewer employees | $13.00 per hour | NYC Admin Code § 19-125 |
| Nassau County, large employers (11+ employees) | $12.00 per hour | Nassau County Local Law (2016) |
| Nassau County, small employers (10 or fewer employees) | $11.00 per hour | Nassau County Local Law (2016) |
| Fast food workers statewide (2018) | $11.10–$13.50 by region and employer size | NY Labor Law; NYC Fast Food Wage Board |
How the 2018 Rates Were Determined
New York’s 2018 minimum wage landscape resulted from legislation passed in 2013 and amended in 2014, 2016, and 2017, which authorized increases to $15 depending on region and employer size. In 2018, increases were scheduled but not yet complete. The law applied to most industries, with distinct rules for fast food and tipped workers. Counties and cities could set higher floors when expressly authorized, provided they did not conflict with state rules. Small employers faced slower phase-ins than large employers in many areas.
State vs Local Authority
State law set the baseline for the rest of New York outside New York City and Nassau County. By 2016, both New York City and Nassau County had established higher, locally governed minimums tied to firm size. Other counties or cities needed explicit enabling law to set higher floors; in 2018, few had done so, so the state rate remained the default in most regions.
Fast Food and Tipped Worker Rules
Fast food workers were subject to faster, region-specific schedules that reached $15 in New York City more quickly than for other industries. Tipped employees could be paid a lower cash wage, provided tips brought their total earnings to at least the standard minimum wage; rules for tip credits and offsets were strict and varied by jurisdiction.
Who Was Covered in 208
Coverage in 2018 extended to most employees in New York, but some classifications were excluded or treated differently. Seasonal camps, farmworkers, and certain domestic workers in private homes often fell under distinct rules. Independent contractors were not covered. Retailing, food service, maintenance, and health care workers typically fell under the standard minimum wage, subject to the regional distinctions noted above.
Enforcement and Worker Options
The New York State Department of Labor and the New York State Attorney General’s Office handled wage claims. Workers owed wages could file complaints, pursue civil actions, or seek back wages through administrative channels. Employers were required to post the current rate notices and maintain payroll records, with penalties for noncompliance. Remedies included back pay, liquidated damages, and civil fines.
Common Misunderstandings About 2018 Minimum Wage
- Not every worker in New York earned the same hourly rate in 2018—location and employer size were decisive factors.
- Small businesses did not have to reach higher local rates on the same timeline as large businesses.
- Tipped workers could be paid less in cash hourly wage, but their total pay (cash plus tips) had to meet the standard minimum.
- County and municipal increases required explicit local law; the absence of such law left the state rate in effect.
2018 As a Milestone in New York’s Wage Timeline
2018 represented a phase in New York’s broader trajectory toward a $15 minimum wage, reflecting regional cost differences and political compromises. The increases that year solidified higher floors in New York City and Nassau County while preserving lower, but rising, rates elsewhere. Subsequent years continued the scheduled climbs, but 2018 remains a clear reference point for understanding the state’s wage structure at that time.
Key Takeaway
New York’s 2018 minimum wage was not a single statewide number but a matrix of rates shaped by location, employer size, and industry. Understanding these distinctions is essential for accurate historical comparison and for interpreting how the state’s wage floor evolved toward its $15 goal.
FAQ
Reader questions
Did all New York workers get the same raise in 2018?
No. Increases depended on county, city, employer size, and industry. Many workers saw no change if already below the applicable floor; others received raises to align with the new regional rates.
Could employers offset the higher wage with tips in 2018?
Yes, but only up to the legal tip credit limit, and total earnings (wage plus tips) had to equal at least the applicable minimum wage. Rules for tip pooling and credit varied by region.
What should a worker do if they were not paid the 2018 minimum wage?
They can contact the New York State Department of Labor or file a wage claim to pursue back wages and potential penalties. Documentation of hours and pay is essential.
Were agricultural or domestic workers required to be paid the minimum wage in 2018?
Many farmworkers and certain domestic workers were subject to the state minimum, but phase-ins and exemptions differed. Local law and federal programs sometimes provided alternative schedules.