New Overtime Guidelines for New York Workers

Starting on New Year’s Day, New York State plans to increase the overtime threshold for certain salaried employees.

Those working in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County will need to earn a minimum of $1,275 per week, which translates to about $66,300 annually, in order to be exempt from receiving overtime, as noted by the state’s Department of Labor. This represents an increase from the previous threshold of $1,237.50 a week (or $64,350 a year).

For other regions in the state, including places like the Hudson Valley and Catskills, the threshold will rise to $1,199.10 per week, or around $62,353.20 per year, up from a previous $1,161.65 per week ($60,405.80 a year).

Generally, workers whose earnings fall below these thresholds are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times their regular wage if they work over 40 hours in a week.

The changes, announced annually by the state’s labor department, aim to adjust the requirements for overtime eligibility, effectively exempting those who earn above the new limits.

This adjustment mostly impacts employees in managerial or executive roles. Meanwhile, the standard for professional employees remains aligned with federal law, which is currently set at $684 a week or $35,568 annually after a federal judge halted a recent effort by the Biden administration to increase that figure.

To qualify as an executive employee, one typically needs to manage others, regularly overseeing the work of at least two employees, and have the authority to hire and fire personnel or make employment recommendations.

A managerial position involves a mix of administrative tasks and non-manual field duties connected to management policies and overall operations, with these workers often aiding employers or employee managers.

In contrast, a professional employee is defined as someone involved in specialized work, requiring specific training or knowledge in a particular field, including artistic endeavors.

New York State’s requirements run alongside federal regulations. While some job roles might not qualify for overtime under federal standards, you could still be eligible for overtime under New York’s guidelines.