New York minimum wage to increase Friday

ALBANY, N.Y. (WHEC) — The minimum wage in Upstate New York will increase 70 cents on Friday.

The New York State Department of Labor made the announcement earlier this year.

As News10NBC explained in Good Question, the increase is determined annually by the Director of the Division of Budget along with the Commissioner of Labor, based on economic factors, including the consumer price index.

While the state has the option of holding off on an annual hike, Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said the increase makes sense "…amid a labor shortage that is showing no sign of abating…".

While the wage has been at $15.00 in New York City, it has increased about 70 cents a year upstate, jumping from $9.70 at the end of 2016 to $13.20 taking effect at the end of this year.