New York Exempt Salary Threshold 2026: NYC, Long Island, Westchester, and Upstate
Quick answer: The 2026 threshold is $1,275 per week in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester, and $1,199.10 per week in the remainder of New York State.
2026 regional thresholds
- New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester: $1,275 per week
- Remainder of New York State: $1,199.10 per week
The state threshold applies to executive and administrative exemptions. New York’s professional exemption uses a different analysis.
Annual equivalents
The downstate amount equals approximately $66,300 per year. The remainder-of-state amount equals approximately $62,353.20 per year.
Employers should administer the weekly requirement rather than relying only on an annual offer amount.
Duties remain essential
An employee earning the required salary is not automatically exempt. The employee must perform qualifying executive or administrative duties under the applicable New York wage order.
A supervisor who spends most time on routine work or lacks meaningful management authority may remain overtime eligible.
Federal and state comparison
The federal standard salary level is $684 per week, far below the New York thresholds. Employers covered by both systems generally must apply the higher New York requirement.
An employee earning $1,000 weekly may satisfy the federal amount but fail the state threshold.
Work location matters
The applicable amount follows the employee’s work location. Employers with workers moving between New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and upstate locations should maintain accurate worksite records.
Remote employees working from New York can create state obligations even when the employer is headquartered elsewhere.
Changing salary to hourly pay
Employers can change a compensation method with proper advance notice, but reclassification does not erase overtime rights.
Nonexempt employees generally must receive overtime after 40 hours and accurate wage notices.
Example
A Manhattan administrative employee earns $64,000 annually. The weekly salary is approximately $1,230.77, below $1,275.
The employee generally fails the New York salary requirement even if the duties otherwise qualify.
Employer checklist
- Identify the employee’s primary work location.
- Raise salary to the regional threshold.
- Review actual duties.
- Treat professional employees separately.
- Track hours for reclassified workers.
- Update wage notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NYC threshold?
$1,275 per week.
What is the upstate threshold?
$1,199.10 per week.
Does it apply to professional employees?
New York’s professional exemption does not use the same state weekly salary requirement.
Does the federal $684 amount replace New York’s rule?
No.
Can an employer switch salary to hourly pay?
Yes with proper notice, but overtime and recordkeeping still apply.
Official Sources
- New York Department of Labor — Minimum Wage FAQ
- New York Attorney General — Wages and Pay
- 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.