Approximately 2,600 New York State employees across 18 state agencies will soon receive a series of pay increases, starting this week. The salary hikes will go to professional engineers, architects, land surveyors, landscape architects and geologists. Pay increases will range from $7,000 to $13,500, depending on their position and geographic location.
These pay increases, which take effect December 5, will go to 1,620 employees with the Department of Transportation, 542 with the Department of Conservation, 70 with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, 60 with the Department of Health and 57 with the Office of General Services. In addition to the above agencies, the New York State Thruway Authority is implementing a pay differential to improve recruitment and retention of employees seeking to begin or continue a career with the Thruway Authority. The proposal was unanimously approved by the authority’s board of directors on December 3 and goes into effect in early 2025. This action builds on a geographic pay differential previously implemented by both the State of New York and the Thruway Authority for employees in highway maintenance titles.
Governor Kathy Hochul said these positions were provided with pay raises in an effort to keep and recruit employees in New York State. “New Yorkers rely on the skills and expertise of engineers to build roads and bridges, construct large scale buildings, and prevent disasters from occurring,” Hochul said. “Engineering and the licensed positions that support it are some of the most competitive jobs in the world, and after extensive study of the job market, it is clear that state government needs to do more to attract a world class talent pool to New York’s public sector. The investment in these geographic pay differentials is a smart investment in the future of the Empire State.”
New York State Department of Civil Service Commissioner and Civil Service Commission President Timothy R. Hogues said, “With these increases and under Governor Hochul’s leadership, the Empire State is bolstering its efforts to attract and retain the skills and talents of those professionals who improve and maintain the built and natural environments that make New York State such a special place to live, work and visit.”
Most of these positions are in the Professional Technical & Scientific Unit, which is represented by the Public Employees Federation (PEF). Thruway Authority titles impacted are mainly represented by the Teamsters Local 456 and CSEA Local 058.
“The approved pay differential will significantly impact the lives of these professionals and will also enhance the recruitment and retention of skilled talent, helping the Thruway Authority deliver on its mission of Safety, Service and Reliability,” Teamsters Local 456 President of International Brotherhood Louis A. Picani said.
NYSTA CSEA Local 058 President Sean Kennedy added, “CSEA applauds the Thruway Authority’s continuing investment in its most important resource: the hundreds of dedicated public sector employees that propel the Thruway Authority. CSEA looks forward to partnering with Governor Hochul, Executive Director Hoare and the Authority’s Board of Directors to ensure that the Thruway can continue to serve as a premier superhighway.”