New York ranks among the top 10 states for the economic value of unpaid family caregiving, according to a new analysis that estimates residents provide more than $40 billion in unpaid care each year.
The analysis by Polaris Home Care ranked New York 10th nationally, estimating the value of unpaid family care at $2,016 per resident. The figure is 14% higher than the national average, according to the study.
Researchers said they examined estimated family caregiver counts, unpaid care hours, state population figures and average wages for home health and personal care aides to calculate the approximate value of unpaid caregiving in each state.
In New York, the analysis estimated about 2.2 million family caregivers provided roughly 2.1 billion hours of unpaid care in 2024. The study used an average caregiver wage of $19.07 per hour to estimate a total statewide value of $40.06 billion.
Nationally, the analysis estimated more than 37 million Americans provide unpaid care to family members, totaling 34.5 billion hours of unpaid work. The study estimated that care would be worth $590 billion if families paid for professional care instead.
Alaska ranked first, with unpaid care valued at $2,266 per resident. Washington, Kentucky, Maryland and Oregon rounded out the top five.
The study cited AARP data on family caregivers and care hours, U.S. Census Bureau population figures and Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for home health and personal care aides.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.