(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - New York State Agency overtime costs increased 22.7% in 2025 for a total of $1.6 billion, while the number of overtime hours increased by 5.9%, or 1.4 million hours, higher than the previous year, according to the annual report issued by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli examining State agencies’ overtime and workforce trends. The size of the state workforce - not including the State University of New York and City University of New York, grew for a third straight year in 2025 increasing by 2.7%, or 4,139 positions, from 2024, to an average annual total of 155,448. “The use of overtime by State Agencies continued to climb with overtime as a share of payroll at its second highest rate since at least (2007),” DiNapoli said. “Agencies need to ensure usage is justified while continuing to safely and effectively provide the services New Yorkers expect and deserve.” Overtime hours and earnings have continued to surge at the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (Corrections), growing by 1.3 million hours and $264 million in 2025, the most of any Agency. The Agency experienced a 29.8% decrease in workforce since 2020 when there were 8,544 more Employees than in 2025. Between 2024 and 2025, the Corrections Workforce decreased by over 2,700 while overtime hours per Employee grew 32.7% to reach an average of 432 hours - nearly triple what it was in 2020. These figures were influenced by the Strike by some Corrections employees that took place between February 17th, 2025 and March 10th, 2025.

To Continue Reading This Labor News Report, Go To: DiNapoli: Despite Third Straight Year of State Workforce Expansion, OT Costs Increased by $1.6 Billion in 2025 | Office of the New York State Comptroller