New Yorkers earning minimum wage will see an increase in their paychecks. This change, which takes effective on Wednesday, Jan. 1, is part of a broader state initiative aimed at easing the financial burden of rising living costs.

The statewide minimum wage in New York is scheduled to rise. An increase to the wage of 50 cents an hour is set to take effect on Jan. 1, according to the state Labor Department. The increase will bring the minimum wage to $15.50 an hour in Upstate New York. It will rise to $16.50 an hour in New York City, Westchester County and on Long Island.

New York's minimum wage increases 50 cents in January as part of a three-year rollout. Downstate, the wage increases to $16.50 and $15.50 elsewhere.

For most workers, the hourly wage is going up to $16.50 in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County and $15.49 in the Garden State.

According to CBIA, Connecticut has the fifth-highest minimum wage, following the District of Columbia ($17.50), Washington state ($16.28), California ($16), and New York City and Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties ($16). The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which prevails in 13 states.

The state's minimum wage increase is set to go into effect on January 1. The statewide wage increase will bump employee pay from $14.15 to $14.65 per hour. Also read: 2024 in review: Extreme weather and chaotic crashes captivate CBS13 audience The increase will also affect tipped workers,

When the calendar flips to January, a number of states will increase their minimum wage levels - but just like recent years, North Dakota won't be among them. Those pushing for changes plan to try again.

In the last days of the Biden Administration, the U.S. Department of Labor has floated a proposal that would end the practice of paying disabled workers less than the minimum wage. Learn More: