Do New Yorkers Know the Minimum Wage?

Based on responses from a spot survey conducted in January and February 2006, many employers and the large majority of workers in New York City do not know how much the minimum wage is in New York State. These results generally mirror those of an earlier survey conducted in January 2005, with slight increases in the percent of respondents who knew the minimum wage. While not strictly representative, the results indicate a widespread lack of knowledge about one of the core laws governing wages in the workplace. The findings suggest the need for greater public education, especially of small employers and workers.