This information is for general orientation only and does not constitute legal, tax or medical advice. Always verify with the official sources cited.
Work legally in New York
New York combines the most expensive rental market in the country (Manhattan often over $3,800/month for a studio apartment) with excellent public transportation. Outside of NYC, many SUNY campuses have more manageable costs.
Minimum wage and tips in New York
- Minimum:$16/hr
- Tips:$10/h (subminimum)
- Paid family leave: Active state paid leave program
- Maximum weekly unemployment: approximately $504 (if you qualify — F-1 usually doesn’t)
CPT and OPT: practice sequence
- See DSO: CPT eligibility (usually after 1 academic year, linked to curriculum).
- Job offer consistent with the major; letter dated for SEVIS.
- Update I-20 with CPT endorsement before starting.
- For OPT: request 90 days in advance, USCIS fee, waiting for EAD card.
- Store every pay stub; verifies federal and state withholdings.
Read New York’s only job
- At will: at-will
- Non-competes: restricted for workers under $250k
- OSHA: Federal OSHA (DOL regions)
On-campus vs. off-campus
- On-campus— Up to 20 hours/week per term; CPT is not needed in many cases (check DSO policy).
- Off-campus CPT— Must be integral to the program; part-time hours in session.
- OPT / STEM OPT— After completion or during thesis in some cases; limited unemployment days.
Payroll taxes
In New York you will have state withholdings in addition to federal; uses W-4 forms and state equivalent.
Mistakes that cost your status
- Work before CPT/OPT approval.
- Exceeding permitted hours or working for an unauthorized employer.
- Do not report job loss to the DSO during OPT (unemployment days).
- Accept “cash” work below minimum without documentation.
Finance/media and law internship NY
- Non-competes restricted above salary threshold - read offer text.
- NYC Minimum Wage Often Higher than Rest of State.
- Unpaid internship: legal risk — prefer documented paid CPT.
STEM OPT and grace period
- 24-month extension for USCIS-listed STEM majors — verify course CIP code.
- Report employment every 6 months on myUSCIS during STEM OPT.
- 90 cumulative days of unemployment during standard OPT; 150 during STEM (check current rules).
Typical on-campus jobs
- Dining, library, recreation, research assistant (often linked to major).
- Minimum hourly payment $16 — check pay stub.
Sources
Servizio ridotto notte weekend — pianifica rientro.
Quick reference
NYC sicurezza migliorata decenni ma attenzione metro notturna e scam. Upstate neve/ghiaccio. Diritti lavoratori forti.
Practical safety
Campus e metro
Resta in vagoni affollati di notte; attenzione phone snatching. Upstate: guida su ghiaccio.
Disastri
Kit caldo, scarponi, coperta in auto upstate.
- Snow
- Rari uragani remnant
Rights and actions
Azioni
Emergencies
Numeri
Ranked 46 of 50 for minimum wage
Ranked 28 of 50 for max unemployment
State-specific data for New York: Work
Data verified: 2026-03
Regola federale — CPT/OPT/STEM OPT: stesse regole USCIS in tutti gli stati; rispetta anche leggi salariali locali
| Minimum wage | $16/hr ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| Tipped subminimum | $10/hr ⚠️ |
| At-will employment | at-will |
| Non-compete agreements | restricted for workers under $250k |
| Paid family leave | Programma statale di congedo retribuito attivo |
| OSHA coverage | Federal OSHA (regioni DOL) |
| Max weekly unemployment | $504 ⚠️ |
Sources: DOL · DOL state labor
Official U.S. sources
Informational summary only—always read the latest official pages. Not legal, tax, or medical advice.
Rules for F/M/J students, CPT/OPT, and Form I-765 are published by USCIS. Confirm the current page before starting any work.
Minimum wage and overtime: DOL topics. International taxpayer obligations and resources: IRS international taxpayers hub.