AVERAGE HOURS AND EARNINGS IN NEW YORK – MAY 2011

Average weekly earnings for all employees on private sector payrolls in New York State increased 2.1 percent to $909.04 over the year ending in May 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. The average work week lengthened by 0.2 hour (0.6 percent) to 34.2 hours, while average hourly earnings rose 1.5 percent to $26.58. Regional Commissioner Michael L. Dolfman pointed out that the percentage rise in New York average
weekly wages was not as large as the gain in the United States.

Other findings in today's release:
• New York’s average weekly earnings of $909.04 ranked sixth highest in the Nation.
• New York was 1 of 38 states and the District of Columbia with an over-the-year increase in average weekly earnings.
• New York was 1 of 32 states and the District of Columbia to register lengthier weeks in May 2011 compared to one year earlier.
• The information industry recorded the highest average weekly earnings for all employees ($1,380.83), followed by financial activities ($1,307.21), professional and business services ($1,226.88), and construction ($1,190.69).
• Seven of New York’s supersectors had over-the-year increases in average weekly wages.
• Eight of 12 metropolitan areas in New York registered gains in average weekly earnings, led by Ithaca, which registered a 13.5 percent increase.
• Average hours rose in 6 of the 12 areas, with Elmira recording the largest increase, up 1.5 hour. The workweek was unchanged in New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island.
• The average workweek for all private sector employees in New York was 34.2 hours; New York City posted a 34.9-hour average.

Please read the complete release in text (NYLS 7945) or in PDF.