By CHALEAMPON OATES RITTHICHAI wpix.com

11:49 a.m. EST, February 24, 2010
NEW YORK (WPIX)—
Wall Street bonuses increased 17 percent to $20.3 billion in 2009, according to a new report by New York State's comptroller.

A year after a massive bailout by the federal government, investment banks and securities firms reportedly earned more than $55 billion in profit in 2009.

"For most Americans, these huge bonuses are a bitter pill and hard to comprehend," said Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.

The estimated bonuses has yet to include millions paid in forms of deferred stocks, which are not taxable.

"It's unfair to the public. I feel like they shouldn't get bonuses," Hector Rodriguez, a deliveryman, told PIX News. "We didn't get any bonuses, right?"

DiNapoli said there is a resentment for the financial industry but added these bonuses generated additional $600 million to state tax revenues and an extra $75 million to the city's.

"I think people are a bit tough on banker," Michael Lanksy, a stock broker, told PIX News. "They work hard for their money."