More than 8,000 federal jobs have been lost across New York over the past year, according to new labor data highlighted by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.
The New York State Department of Labor estimates the state had about 8,300 fewer federal workers in December 2025 than in December 2024, a drop of more than 7 percent.
Schumer said the cuts have affected agencies that provide critical services, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“These aren’t just numbers,” Schumer said. “They are the federal workers who help our veterans get the care they need, who make sure seniors get their Social Security, and help farmers when they are struggling.”
Major job losses were reported across multiple metropolitan areas in the state.
New York City saw the largest drop, losing about 3,100 federal jobs, followed by Long Island’s Nassau-Suffolk region, which lost roughly 1,600 positions.
Upstate regions also saw significant declines. Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse each lost about 500 federal jobs during the period.
Rochester lost approximately 200 federal positions, while Ithaca lost about 100 — a 33 percent decline from the previous year.
Other areas affected include Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, which lost about 400 jobs, and Utica-Rome, which lost around 200.
Schumer warned that staffing shortages could affect services for veterans, seniors and families who rely on federal programs.
He pointed to reports that more than 90 percent of Veterans Affairs facilities experienced severe staffing shortages after thousands of workers were cut.
Schumer also said reductions in Social Security staff have led to record backlogs for millions of beneficiaries seeking assistance.
The senator said the cuts could also hurt local economies, especially in communities where federal employment plays a significant role.
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