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A significant pay increase has been announced for certain state workers in New York. On Thursday (December 5), Governor Kathy Hochul revealed that approximately 2,600 employees, including engineers, architects, land surveyors, landscape architects, and geologists, received salary boosts. These increases range from $7,000 to $13,500, depending on the position and geographic location, and aim to improve recruitment and retention of skilled professionals within the state's workforce.
The pay adjustments affect employees across 18 state agencies, including the New York State Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of these roles, stating, "New Yorkers rely on the skills and expertise of engineers to build roads and bridges, construct large-scale buildings, and prevent disasters from occurring."
The pay increases are part of a broader effort to bolster the state's public workforce, which includes initiatives like the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program. This program aims to fill vacancies by waiving civil service exam requirements for certain positions. PEF President Wayne Spence praised the governor's commitment to offering competitive compensation, saying, "Offering compensation on par with the private sector is a positive move toward attracting talented professionals to state employment."
While the pay increases took effect on Thursday, changes in pay for eligible employees will begin in January 2025. The New York State Thruway Authority also plans to implement a pay differential in early 2025 to further support recruitment and retention efforts.