HARTFORD (AP) — The U.S. Census Bureau announced Thursday it plans to increase wages for available positions in the Hartford and New Haven area census offices.

As of Monday, the pay rate for thousands of part-time enumerator positions will increase from $21 an hour to $23.50 an hour. The pay increase was instituted to attract more qualified census taker candidates in familiar neighborhoods for work that begins this spring.

The Hartford area census office also includes workers from Tolland, Windham and New London counties, while the New Haven area office also includes workers in Middlesex County. Information about jobs can be found at 2020census.gov/jobs.

Applicants must be at least 18, have a valid Social Security number, be a U.S. citizen, and have a valid email address. Males born after Dec. 31, 1959 must have registered with the Selective Service System or have a qualifying exemption.