An upstate New York county is considering an increased minimum wage for its residents that would exceed the state’s rate.
Tompkins County is currently holding several public discussions over the next two months as part of a study commissioned by the county legislature to see how a countywide minimum wage would impact workers, employers and different industries across the county.
A 2025 Living Wage Study completed in part by Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab, contracted by the county for the study, revealed about half of wage earners in Tompkins County earn less than the county’s living wage, which is the minimum hourly amount a full-time worker must earn to afford basic needs such as housing, food and income taxes.
According to the study, the living wage for a single adult in Tompkins County in 2025 was $24.82 per hour, which increased 34.5% since 2023, while the minimum wage statewide increased only 9.2% in that same two-year period.
“Wages have not kept pace with the rising cost of housing and basic needs, and the gap is growing,” Assembly member Anna Kelles, a Democrat who represents Tompkins County, said.
“At a certain point, an economy that relies on people working full-time without being able to meet basic needs is not sustainable. Aligning wages with the real cost of living is a practical step to close that gap, support local businesses and protect the middle class that underpins a stable community.”
While there are still many unknowns, including how much the county’s wage may increase, here’s what we know so far.
What is the minimum wage study looking at?
The study, which provides up to $50,000 for research, public discussions and a final report complete with policy recommendations, is due to be completed by Dec. 31.
Five community discussions are being held in April and another three are scheduled for May before the final report is presented in August.
Here’s a list of factors the study is considering:
What is the current minimum wage in New York?
The state’s minimum wage started an incremental march toward $15 an hour in 2016, with New York City, Long Island and Westchester County hitting that benchmark years earlier than the rest of the state.
By 2024, employers across New York were required to hit the $15 threshold, while New York City, Westchester County and Long Island hit $16 an hour.
Fifty-cent increases in both 2025 and 2026 brought the state to its current rates of $17 downstate and $16 upstate. Starting next year, minimum wage increases will be linked to inflation — specifically, the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the Northeast Region.
Are other counties following Tompkins’ example?
As of right now, all other counties in the state will align their minimum wage rate with inflation changes beginning in 2027. Legislative members for Erie, Monroe, Onondaga, Broome and Westchester counties did not respond to inquiries about whether their counties are considering anything similar to Tompkins County’s effort.
Emily Barnes covers state government for the USA TODAY Network-New York with a focus on how policy and laws impact New Yorkers’ taxes, communities and jobs. Follow her on Instagram or X @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: As living costs surge, Tompkins County considers higher minimum wage
Reporting by Emily Barnes, New York State Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
