The Empire Center has posted payroll records for the 298,247 employees who worked for the State of New York in 2009 on its transparency site, www.SeeThroughNY.net.

The full release, including tables listing the 50 highest-paid employees in each branch of state government in 2009, plus separate lists for higher education, is here.

According to the release, the highest paid employee in 2009 was Stephen Onesti, chairman of the neurosurgery department at SUNY’s Downstate Medical Center, who took home $958,047. Onesti was also the highest paid employee in 2008, earning $947,463.

Originally Published: NY Public Payroll Watch

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