New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani rejects pay rise to S$395,000

New York City's mayor Zohran Mamdani has rejected a law-approved 18 per cent pay raise.

The raise, which was approved by NYC's City Council members, would have increased his annual salary to a whopping US$305,800 (S$394,971), reported Bloomberg.

It would also raise the city's 51 elected officials' annual salaries by 18 per cent, which will amount to US$175,500 (S$226,675).

This marks the first salary increase for the City Council since 2016.

Not accepting the raise

Speaking at a news conference on Jul. 16, Mamdani declared he will not accept a pay raise.

"I haven’t knocked on anyone’s door in New York City and they’ve said their concern is that the mayor makes too little," he added.

The Council's decision to raise its own pay comes ahead of Mamdani's potential need to negotiate labour-contracts with NYC's 300,000 employees.

It also comes amidst the city's projected multibillion-dollar budget deficits over the next four years of his term.

The raises are expected to cost the city another US$2.6 million (S$3.4 million) in 2026 and US$17 million (S$22 million) in 2027, analysts found.

Increase to help with inflation

The raise is intended to help keep up with inflation, as price levels have risen 31 per cent in the past decade, according to a commission held early 2026 as cited by Bloomberg.

It was approved 42-6 by the City Council, and Mamdani is expected to sign on it.