New York Airport Worker Pay 2026: .25 Wage and .55 Health Benefit
Quick answer: Covered airport workers must receive at least the applicable wage rate, currently $21.25 per hour for 2026, plus a health and welfare contribution or supplemental wage of at least $5.55 per hour as of April 29, 2026.
Who is covered?
The Healthy Terminals Act applies to specified airport workers and employers, subject to statutory definitions. Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from the listed requirements.
Coverage depends on the airport, worker classification, employer, and services performed.
The 2026 hourly wage
Starting January 1, 2026, the Port Authority minimum wage used by the official New York guidance is $21.25 per hour through December 31, 2026.
The applicable classification rate cannot be lower than the designated Service Contract Act-based rate or Port Authority rate described by the state.
Health and welfare contribution
As of April 29, 2026, the minimum health and welfare amount is $5.55 per hour for up to 40 hours per week.
- Maximum weekly amount: $222
- Approximate monthly amount: $962
The obligation may be satisfied through qualifying benefits or supplemental wages under the applicable rules.
Overtime calculation
The Healthy Terminals Act does not erase overtime. Covered nonexempt employees generally receive overtime after 40 hours.
Cash paid instead of benefits can affect the regular-rate analysis. Employers should not assume every supplemental payment is excluded.
Example
A covered employee works 45 hours at a $21.25 base rate. The basic time-and-one-half rate is $31.875 for five overtime hours, subject to normal payroll rounding.
Shift premiums, cash benefit payments, and bonuses can increase the regular rate.
Paid leave
The state guidance also requires minimum paid leave based on designated federal Service Contract Act standards. Employers should verify the current leave requirement for each classification.
Contractors and staffing firms
Airport work often involves contractors, subcontractors, concessionaires, and staffing agencies. Contracts should allocate responsibility for wage rates, benefits, timekeeping, overtime, and record retention.
Joint-employment principles can create shared liability.
Payroll checklist
- Confirm airport, employer, and worker coverage.
- Apply the current wage rate.
- Provide the health benefit or supplemental wage.
- Track the weekly overtime threshold.
- Review regular-rate treatment.
- Monitor updated federal designations.
- Audit contractors and agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 airport wage?
$21.25 per hour under the cited Port Authority rate.
What is the health-benefit rate?
$5.55 per hour as of April 29, 2026.
Do airport workers receive overtime?
Covered nonexempt employees generally do.
Are small employers covered?
Employers with 10 or fewer employees are exempt from the listed requirements.
Can cash replace health benefits?
Supplemental wages may be used under applicable rules, but payroll treatment must be reviewed.
Official Sources
- New York DOL — Healthy Terminals Act Wage and Benefit Rate
- U.S. Department of Labor — Service Contract Act
- New York Department of Labor — Minimum Wage
This article is for general educational purposes and is not legal, tax, accounting, payroll, or employment advice. Rules can change and may differ by location, occupation, employer size, and employee duties.
This calculator is for educational purposes only. Consult your employer or a labor attorney for advice specific to your situation.