NYC construction workers on public projects earn nearly twice as much as their private counterparts: report

New data show salaries can differ by hundreds of thousands

Construction wages (credit: NY YIMBY)
Construction wages (credit: NY YIMBY)

Wages for construction workers are a hot topic in the city today, with the issue being tied to 421a renewal and what private developers choose to pay construction workers. But a new report is turning attention to how the government pays the vast number of construction workers that it employs — and the data show that these workers are much better off, making up to 177% of what their privately employed counterparts do, in some cases.

The salary difference is largest for insulators, who make an average of $68,996 when they are employed privately, but make $190,223 if they are employed by contractors working on public projects, New York YIMBY reported.

Sign Up for the undefined Newsletter

By signing up, you agree to TheRealDeal Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Other professions have similarly stark contrasts — structural iron workers take home an average of $235,248 on government projects, compared to $111,920 for private projects. For steamfitters, the difference is $221,603 compared to $98,328.

Debate has been swirling in Albany over whether to include a prevailing wage requirement for construction workers in a 421a reform package, with Governor Andrew Cuomo supporting the measure and Mayor Bill de Blasio against it. [NY YIMBY] — Tess Hofmann