12 High-Paying Jobs in New York City

New York City has attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Broadway, and Times Square, along with incredible cultural diversity. The fast-paced atmosphere attracts people to flock to the Big Apple from all around the world for tourism, lifestyle changes, and job opportunities.

The New York State Department of Labor’s statistics from August 2024 show that New York City has enjoyed a yearly job increase of more than 96,300 new roles in the private sector, including in the fields of education, health services, and hospitality [1].

How do these abundant opportunities translate to salaries? Discover some of the highest-paying jobs in NYC and their average reported salaries.

12 highest paying jobs in NYC

Explore some of the highest-paying roles in New York City, including working as a physician or a physician assistant, web developer, or dentist. Discover annual average salaries and job outlook to get a glimpse of what your earnings and job prospects may look like in this location.

Salary data includes the annual average base salary in New York City, New York as of October 2024 from Indeed. Job outlook information is sourced from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and reflects US job outlook from 2023 to 2033. As a reference, the average expected growth rate for all occupations is roughly 4 percent.

* All salary data is sourced from Indeed as of October 2024.

1. Physicians

Average annual NYC salary: $228,593

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 4 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, medical school, residency program

Physicians and surgeons typically must graduate from a bachelor’s degree program and a four-year accredited medical school before entering a residency program that can take from three to nine years to complete. In New York State, it’s also required to complete the US Medical Licensing Examination or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination.

Physicians and surgeons work in private practice, hospitals, government, and other clinical settings. In this role, you would diagnose, treat, and prevent illness and injury while working with patients and other medical professionals. Specialties include pediatrics or cardiology, dermatology, and internal medicine, among others.

2. Physician assistants

Average annual NYC salary: $132,005

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 28 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree and physician assistant school, passing certification exam, licensures

A physician assistant must complete a bachelor’s degree and a physician assistant master’s degree program that includes classroom and lab instruction. All states require licensingand candidates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE).

Physician assistants work in hospitals, outpatient centers, government, education, and physician offices. The job often requires standing or walking for long periods. In this role, you’ll work with patients to examine and treat illnesses and injuries as part of a medical team supervised by physicians and surgeons.

3. Computer hardware engineer

Average annual NYC salary: $151,382

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or related field

An entry-level computer hardware engineer typically needs an undergraduate degree in computer engineering or a related degree program, making this one of the highest-paying jobs in NYC with a bachelor’s degree

Computer hardware engineers work in the design and testing of hardware and systems to ensure the hardware works with its companion software. The job may require teamwork with other design and software professionals.

4. Dentist

Average annual NYC salary: $197,436

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 5 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, DMD or DDS, completion of an accredited residency program

Dentists must either hold a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) or a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and complete a residency approved by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.

Dentists specialize in dental care, such as treating cavities and gum disease, preparing patients for crowns and dentures, and treating oral health. In this role, you will work directly with patients using various tools, including drills, digital scanners, x-ray machines, and lasers. You may also opt to specialize in areas such as dental anesthesia or oral and maxillofacial surgery.

5. Engineering manager

Average annual NYC salary: $153,536

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 6 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in engineering at a minimum; experience in the field

Engineering managers can earn roughly 6% more in NYC than in other parts of the United States. The managers are responsible for coordinating the activities of engineering.

As an engineering manager, you may oversee many job duties and often work with others to ensure a project runs smoothly and within budget. You will also oversee the development of new products, propose budgets, and may be involved in hiring and overseeing project staff.

6. Data scientist

Annual average NYC salary: $128,472

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 36 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree at a minimum

A data scientist needs a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, or a related field. Some employers may require a graduate or doctoral degree.

Data scientists collect and analyze data using various methods. In this role, you can choose to specialize in a particular area, such as machine building and research, and work in IT, sales, marketing, and any business or industry that relies on statistics. As a data scientist, you’ll work closely with other department professionals to analyze and interpret data.

7. Software developer

Average annual NYC salary: $148,238

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree is common; some employers prefer candidates with a master’s degree

A software developer should have a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology or a closely related field. Some employers may require a graduate degree.

As a software developer, you’ll design and develop software. Other common responsibilities include testing and maintenance, developing software upgrades, and working with programmers for coding applications.

What is the highest-paying job in NYC?

The highest-paying job in New York City may depend on a few factors, such as the years of experience you have in a role or field, as well as the industry you work in. Roles in health care and finance are among the highest-paying positions for an NYC resident, specifically jobs as a physician or financial advisor.

8. Chief executive officer

Average annual NYC salary: $179,352

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 6 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s or master’s in a relevant field of study; considerable work experience

As the top executive of a company or corporation, a bachelor’s or master’s degree is typically required. Large corporations may want a candidate to hold an MBA. Chief executives should have experience in management or supervisory experience.

As a chief executive officer, or CEO, you’ll oversee the daily operation of a company, organization, government department, or other industry, such as health care. You’ll help the organization set and meet goals and consult with board members and other executives.

9. Financial manager

Average annual NYC salary: $117,172

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree

While some roles may require certifications or licensing requirements, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree is necessary for this position. Employers may want a candidate to have five or more years of experience.

As a financial manager, you’ll oversee accounting and managerial activities. You will work on budgeting and financial reports. You could also work your way into a supervisory role, overseeing staff members and advising them on financial decisions.

10. Web developer

Average annual NYC salary: $73,572

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 8 percent

Requirements: No set requirements; a high school diploma is typically needed; some developers earn bachelor’s degrees or certifications in specific programming languages

A high school diploma and knowledge of HTML programming is typically all you need to become a web developer, however, some employers require a candidate to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field.

As a web developer, you’ll design websites, write the code, and ensure all applications work correctly. You could work on the back end of a system, choose to work on the front end, or both. You could also be a webmaster or an interface designer.

11. Financial advisor

Average annual NYC salary: $84,436

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 17 percent

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is typically the minimum requirement; some employers may prefer candidates with a graduate degree; some financial advisors require licensure

Requirements will vary depending on the organization and role you apply for. Most require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree in business or math, and having a master’s degree may offer career advancement. Most companies provide on-the-job training.

As a financial advisor, you’ll help businesses and individuals make financial decisions that might include investment opportunities, pension and 401K advice, and insurance. Depending on what you do, you may have to register with the state or gain licensure. Certifications, such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, may be helpful.

12. Sales manager

Average annual NYC salary: $94,301

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 6 percent

Requirements: High school diploma at a minimum; some positions require a bachelor’s degree; previous sales experience

Sales managers typically have a bachelor’s degree and sales experience. A sales manager oversees a sales staff and sets sales goals. The sales manager might participate in staff hiring and coaching or training.

In this role, you’ll oversee sales teams, helping to set goals and evaluate performance. You’ll also help resolve customer issues, create budgets, and create strategies for increasing the customer base.

NYC demographics

Five different boroughs comprise New York City—Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Although New York City has a high cost of living compared to many other large cities in the United States and a competitive job market, it also offers a vast job market.

According to the most recent data from the United States Census, the city’s population was about 8.3 million as of July 2023 [2]. The census also shows that the median household income between 2018 and 2022 was $76,607, and 40.2 percent of the population over the age of 25 held a bachelor’s degree or higher. Additionally, the mean travel time to work for  New Yorkers aged 16 and over was 41.1 minutes during this period.

Finding a high-paying job in NYC: Next steps

When you’re ready to apply for a position in New York City, you’ll want to have an updated resume and a dynamic cover letter. You can brush up on your resume writing skills with the Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters on Coursera. The University of Maryland offers the course, and you can complete it in just 12 hours.

Thinking of moving to New York City for a technical job? Why not take the English Communication for Tech Professionals course offered by Arizona State University. You can improve your communication skills to help you in the technical industry.