The minimum wage north of Westchester County could increase by $1 to $14.20 by the end of the year under an order issued by New York Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon on Friday. 

Final approval for the wage increase must still be considered through the rule-making process and is subject to a public comment period. 

The proposed wage increase falls short of $15 in New York City and Westchester County, as well as on Long Island. Reardon pointed to a statutorily mandated economic analysis by the state Division of Budget that found there was pressure for wages to increase amid a labor shortage driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“By raising the minimum wage incrementally, New York State is helping businesses adjust to the new rate, while giving low-wage workers the ability to better participate in our economy,” Reardon said. “Continuing with the multi-year plan to raise the minimum wage is in line with market standards and ensures that no worker is left behind.”

If given final approval, the increase would take effect on Dec. 31. 

A wage increase would affect about 200,000 workers, 44% of whom are full-time employees. About 25% support children under the age of 18. 

The minimum wage north of Westchester was decoupled from the rest of the state under an agreement reached between then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature in 2016. Advocates had backed a $15 hourly minimum wage, but the target was opposed by Republicans who controlled the state Senate at the time. 

As a nod to the varying incomes and costs of living in parts of New York, an agreement was struck that halted the upstate wage increase and then made it subject to an economic review. 

A wage increase would come amid rising inflation in New York and the rest of the country. Advocates and some Democratic lawmakers are once again calling for another wage hike and have it linked to the rate of inflation.