Skip to content

Cost of hiring an employee in New York

A full-time hire at $18/hour costs about $41,809 a year before benefits — $20.90 per hour actually worked with 10 days off.

Last updated October 28, 2026 · 2026 rates

SUTA new-employer rate
4.1%
incl. surcharges
SUTA wage base
$17,600
verified
Minimum wage
$16.00
verified
Workers' comp (typical)
$1.98/$100
rank 3/51 (1 = priciest)

DOL base 4.025%; 4.10% incl. 0.075% Re-employment Service Fund (secondary).

Minimum wage: $17.00 in NYC, Long Island and Westchester; $16.00 rest of state.

1About the hire

Adjust tax rates (from your notices or quotes)

2What this employee costs you

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire an employee in New York?

A full-time worker at $18.00/hour ($37,440 a year) with 10 PTO days costs about $41,809 a year before benefits: employer payroll tax $2,864, FUTA $42, New York unemployment $722 and typical workers' comp $741. That's $20.90 per hour worked.

What is the New York SUTA rate for new employers in 2026?

4.1% on the first $17,600 of each employee's wages (includes state surcharges per a secondary source; base rate per DOL 4.025%). DOL base 4.025%; 4.10% incl. 0.075% Re-employment Service Fund (secondary).

What is the New York minimum wage in 2026?

$16.00 per hour. $17.00 in NYC, Long Island and Westchester; $16.00 rest of state.

How much is workers' comp in New York?

The 2024 Oregon premium-rate study puts New York's all-industry index rate at $1.98 per $100 of payroll (rank 3 of 51; national median $1.09). Your real rate depends on job class and claims history.

Forming the business first? New York LLC cost · S-corp calculator