A new study found that New York City retail employees earn a median wage of $9.50 an hour. The study, which looked at non-union employers, found that the majority of retail employees are part-time or temporary workers, and that many work without a set schedule or benefits. The authors say that many workers earn wages that leave them below the federal poverty line, even as they work long hours. The study also found significant labor law violations, including working off the clock and unpaid overtime. The study surveyed over 400 retailers in New York City.
See "Study of Retail Workers Finds $9.50 Median Pay", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, January 15, 2012