NYS Average Weekly Wage (AWW) Calculator

Average Weekly Wage (AWW) is the foundation of all New York workers' compensation benefits. Under Workers' Compensation Law §14, AWW determines the compensation rate — two-thirds (2/3) of AWW, capped at the statutory maximum set annually by DFS.

§14(1) — 52-Week Divisor: For workers employed substantially the whole year, total gross earnings in the 52 weeks preceding the accident are divided by 52. This is the default method for full-time, full-year workers.

§14(2) — Day-Based Multiplier: When the claimant did NOT work substantially the whole year, average annual earnings are computed by multiplying the average daily wage by a statutory multiplier based on the claimant's regular work schedule:

Straight Divisor (Board Discretion): When the statutory multiplier methods do not yield a fair result — for instance, with seasonal workers, irregular schedules, new hires, or part-year employment — the Board may use a straight divisor: Total Earnings ÷ Actual Weeks Worked. This is the most commonly litigated AWW calculation.

Concurrent Employment: Under §14, wages from all concurrent employment at the time of injury are combined. If the claimant held two jobs, both sets of wages are included — even if only one employer's work caused the injury.

Why It Matters: AWW directly controls the comp rate, which flows into every benefit calculation: temporary total, reduced earnings, SLU awards, CCP awards, and fee applications. Getting the AWW right is the single most important number in the case.