New York State increases jury duty pay

Because of an amendment to the New York Judiciary Law— which Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law on May 9, 2025—the daily pay rate for trial and grand jurors in New York State increased from $40 to $72, effective June 8, 2025.

New rates

Now that the amended law is in effect, New York employers with 11 or more employees must pay them at least $72 or their regular daily wage—whichever is less—for each of their first three days of service. If a juror’s daily wage is less than $72, the state will pay the difference between the juror’s wage and the $72 fee for the first three days of service.

The obligation of the employer to pay only applies if the juror is serving on jury duty on a regularly scheduled workday. If not, New York State pays the daily fee of $72. New York State also pays the daily rate to employees of smaller employers. Further, New York State will pay jurors a fee of $72 for each day of physical attendance after the first three days of service.

Jurors who are employed cannot be paid a jury fee for any day(s) on which they will receive regular wages unless their regular wage is less than $72. In that case, New York State will pay the difference between the juror’s wage and the $72 fee.

Things employers should keep in mind