ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Implementing a $29 minimum wage for human services workers in New York could generate almost $1 billion in tax revenue and $23 billion in economic activity while lifting about 100,000 out of poverty. Research released this month by the City University of New York Institute for State and Local Governance examined the potential costs and effects of passing legislation raising pay in this sector.
About 1 out of 9 New Yorkers work in the sector today. That’s about one million people in the sector, mostly women (89%) and people of color (75%). The field includes home health aides (32%), childcare workers (20%), personal care aides (18%), nursing assistants (15%), social workers (6%), and counselors (5%).
They’re employed at an average hourly rate of about $20, about $40,000 a year. Roughly 664,500 human services workers make less than the cost of living, representing 88% of the total workforce in the sector. And about 15% of those—113,300 people— live below the federal poverty line. Passing the bill and increasing their wages could reduce that poverty rate to 6% or less…