The New York wage board on Monday formally approved a proposed $15 an hour minimum wage for fast food workers.
The board recommended the increase last week.
There will now be a 15-day public comment period before the state labor commissioner signs off on it.
It would be phased in over several years and will eventually be $15 an hour by 2018 for fast food workers in the city.
There's a different timetable for the rest of the state.
Restaurant owners argue the move will lead to higher prices and fewer jobs.