Governor Hochul raises engineer pay to enhance New York’s infrastructure workforce

Albany, NY — Governor Kathy Hochul announced pay increases for engineers and related licensed positions across New York state government, aiming to recruit and retain employees vital to maintaining the state’s infrastructure. The increases will benefit approximately 2,600 state employees across 18 state agencies and the Thruway Authority.

Hochul said;

New Yorkers rely on the skills and expertise of engineers to build roads and bridges, construct large-scale buildings, and prevent disasters from occurring. 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 pay increases, effective December 5, range from $7,000 to $13,500, depending on position and location.

They are part of Hochul’s commitment to invest in the public workforce responsible for vital infrastructure used daily by New Yorkers. The initiative also aims to bolster economic development and improve resiliency against climate change and extreme weather.

New York State Department of Civil Service Commissioner 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.

The New York State Thruway Authority will also implement a pay differential to improve recruitment and retention, effective in early 2025. This move was unanimously approved by the Thruway Authority Board of Directors.

Marie Therese Dominguez, New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner, said,

At NYSDOT, our people are our secret sauce. New Yorkers rely on the skills and expertise of our engineers, architects, land surveyors, landscape architects, and geologists and many other talented professionals to build roads and bridges, construct airports and rail stations, and help prevent disasters from occurring.

The salary adjustments are part of several initiatives Hochul has championed to strengthen New York’s public workforce. Earlier this year, the Department of Civil Service launched the NY HELPS program to assist state and local agencies in filling vacancies. The program temporarily waives civil service exam requirements for thousands of state job openings.

Governor Hochul has also lifted the state hiring freeze and expanded opportunities through the Governor’s Program to Hire Individuals and Veterans with Disabilities.

More Governor Hochul stories: Hochul announces 23 renewable projects to power 700,000 NY homes