20 Highest-Paying Jobs in New York

Considering relocation to New York and figuring out which job pays the most? While the immediate temptation is to assume that a person needs to live in NYC to be a high-earner, that is far from the truth. The highest-paying jobs in the Empire State are not just concentrated in the city. Many of them can be done in small towns, too.

Ever wondered what the highest-paying job in New York is?

New York offers plenty of opportunities for those who want to achieve or relocate to the Empire State in professions as varied as healthcare and finance to non-profits and farming. When most people think about New York, they likely imagine its namesake city. But that is far from the only place to live and work.

Life and Work in New York State

New York State offers residents some of the most variety in the world regarding work and play. New York is the “City that Never Sleeps,” after all. But the cultural hub of the Five Boroughs is not the only place to call home. Albany, NY, ranks highly as the number one place to live in the Empire State, followed closely by Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.?

Living in New York is expensive regardless of what part of the state a person calls home. The cost of living in the state is 55 percent higher than the national average; housing makes up the bulk of that additional cost, with groceries and clothing following closely behind.

Those high prices can influence what kind of work a person wants while living in New York. This article explores high-paying jobs available in cities and towns throughout the state. We compare the median hourly wage estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for New York as of May 2021. Annual median wage estimates presume a 40-hour workweek for exempt employees.

1. Financial Managers

Financial managers spend most of their time analyzing data and advising companies and senior managers on ways to maximize profits. Most financial advisors prepare financial statements and forecasts to help leaders understand a company’s financial health.

This job usually requires a business degree or studies in economics and other related fields. Professional licensing and certification are not requirements, but many professionals pursue them because they inspire confidence and showcase competence.

Financial managers in New York earn a median hourly wage of $98.94. Assuming a 40-hour workweek and a salaried position translates to roughly $205,795 per year.

2. Family Medicine Physicians

Family medicine physicians provide essential medical care in offices and clinics. They can diagnose and treat most mild-to-moderate health issues and make referrals to specialists and hospitals when necessary. Conditions they regularly treat include:

• Sinus or respiratory infections
• Intestinal ailments
• Broken bones
• Minor cuts that may need stitches

Family medicine physicians usually have regular, long-term patients who may or may not live in the same household. Most people who visit a family medicine physician call them a primary care provider, especially in rural areas. In New York, the median hourly wage for family medicine physicians is $94.16, or roughly $195,852 per year.

3. Psychiatrists

Psychiatrists provide mental health treatment through several different services, including personal counseling, psychoanalysis, hospitalization or medication.?

Many psychiatrists diagnose and treat their patients through psychotherapy, in which they help clients change behavior patterns and examine their previous experiences. Some psychiatrists may also prescribe medicines to patients. These medications can correct chemical imbalances that affect mental health.

Psychiatrists in New York State earn a median hourly wage of $93.75, or $195,000 per year.

4. Computer and Information Systems Managers

Information technology (IT) is vital to any business’s operations. The people who focus on ensuring all computer-related activities in an organization go smoothly and according to plan are computer and information systems managers.

IT leaders and managers wear many hats, from chief technology officers (CTOs) who evaluate new technology to gauge its impact on their organization to chief information officers (CIOs) who help determine a company’s information goals and how technology can help.?

Computer and information systems managers earn high salaries nationwide, but their New York earnings ($92.24 per hour or roughly $191,859 per year) outpace the national median annual salary ($159,010) by nearly $33,000.

5. Sales Managers

Sales managers help direct an organization’s sales team and provide mentoring to junior sales executives and entry-level sales professionals. Most sales managers have a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field and spend time either in an office or traveling.

The median hourly wage for sales managers in New York is $91.48 (roughly $190,278 a year). Earnings may be higher based on factors like a commission or other incentives.

6. Judges, Magistrate Judges and Magistrates

Judgeships in New York pay exceptionally well, though the path to the job takes quite some time. Judges oversee courtroom proceedings for city, county and municipal cases. Judicial positions and appointments vary based on the level of the court; the Governor appoints appellate judges, whereas most other justices are elected. Most city court judge positions in New York City are by the mayor’s appointment.

New York judges, magistrate judges and magistrates earn a median hourly wage of $82.24, or roughly $171,000 a year.

7. Marketing Managers

Marketing managers are responsible for estimating how much people want a company’s (or its competitors’) products or services. They look at burgeoning markets and help develop pricing and promotion strategies to put those products into stores and people’s hands. Marketing managers focus on monitoring trends or assisting in product development.

For all their hard work, New York marketing managers take home an estimated median hourly wage of $81.31, or $169,124 per year.

8. Specialist Dentists

General dentists provide essential medical services by performing regular checkups and routine patient care. Dentists use tools like x-rays, drills, scalpels and other technology to remove tooth decay and fill cavities.

Specialists in the dental field may choose one or more areas to focus on, including root canals, oral surgery, orthodontic work that helps patients straighten their teeth and more. Dental specialists earn a median hourly wage of $81.25, equating to $169,000 annually.

9.? Physicists

Physicists study the interactions between matter and energy and help describe these interactions to others. They can do hands-on work with experiments, or they may primarily develop and test theories to explain the world around us. Many physicists work in research and lab settings. Others work for colleges and universities as teachers.

The median hourly wage for physicists in New York is $80.64, or roughly $167,731 per year.

10. Compensation and Benefits Managers

Compensation and benefits managers handle the planning and development of programs to pay employees and ensure they receive adequate benefits. They coordinate the work activities of their staff and often shop for benefits plans such as health insurance, retirement planning and other perks.

New York-based compensation and benefits managers earn a median wage of $80.42 per hour or $167,273 per year.?

11. Pediatricians

Pediatricians can work in hospitals, healthcare clinics or private practice offices. No matter where they practice, these physicians focus on providing healthcare to children and adolescents. In short, a skilled pediatrician will help ensure healthy child development for their patients. Sometimes, a pediatrician may specialize in autoimmune disorders or other health concerns that commonly affect younger patients.

Pediatricians in New York earn a median hourly wage of $79.45, or $165,256 annually.

12. Lawyers

Becoming an attorney takes years of hard work and dedication, but it pays off with a versatile career. Lawyers can work as advocates and advisors in a variety of settings. Some lawyers practice criminal law, defending clients or prosecuting cases in court. Others prefer a corporate environment, guiding companies through legal issues related to their business.

For the most part, New York attorneys are well-compensated professionals. The median hourly wage for attorneys in the Empire State is $78.93, or about $164,174 yearly.

13. Natural Sciences Managers

Natural sciences managers work with research budgets, develop strategies to meet goals and oversee the work of scientists and technicians. They often partner with and supervise other scientists to aid advances in manufacturing, forward knowledge or develop products.

A natural sciences manager’s daily job responsibilities will ultimately vary depending on their field of expertise or industry, as does the median wage. In New York, natural sciences managers can expect a median hourly pay of $78.88, or about $164,070 a year.

14. Human Resources Managers

Human resources (HR) managers build policies and plans to coordinate the administrative efforts of organizations of all sizes. Working in HR can involve many different tasks, from hiring team members to consulting on strategies and budgets. HR managers wear several hats and may specialize in different business areas, including payroll, labor relations and recruiting.

HR managers who live and work in New York earn a median hourly wage of $78.54. This translates to about $163,363 per year.?

15. Advertising and Promotions Managers

Advertising and promotions managers develop strategies to appeal to consumers. They work to create brand enthusiasm among potential buyers of products or services. Sometimes they do this as internal employees of a company. In other cases, they may work for advertising agencies serving several different businesses.

Advertising managers typically liaise between clients and the advertising agency itself. Promotion managers may develop programs to combine advertising with purchasing incentives.

In New York, advertising and promotion managers can make a median hourly wage of $78.48, or roughly $163,238 per year.

16. Training and Development Managers

Training and development managers fulfill the vital HR function of planning and directing skills- and knowledge-enhancement programs for organizations and their staff. Training and development managers can work in nearly any industry.

Their primary responsibilities include overseeing and building employee training programs at all company levels. They often handle writing onboarding materials or selecting outsourced content to help fulfill internal initiatives.

Training and development managers in New York make an estimated $78.24 per hour, or roughly $162,739 per year.

17. Fundraising Managers

Fundraising managers develop strategies to help organizations raise money. Many of their daily responsibilities focus on identifying and contacting donors past, present and potential. They create and plan events to reach community stakeholders while writing grant applications and proposals.

Fundraising is difficult work, but it pays well in New York. The median hourly wage for fundraising managers is roughly $78.22, or just under $162,700 a year.

18. Architectural and Engineering Managers

Architectural and engineering managers plan and coordinate the activities of architectural and engineering companies. Their day-to-day work involves creating detailed plans for product development as well as budget proposals and staff supervision. Managers may be working architects and engineers, or, in larger companies, they may have phased into leadership roles to oversee projects.

Those who live and work in New York earn a median hourly wage of $78.18, or roughly $162,614 per year.

19. Podiatrists

Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in providing medical or surgical care for people with foot, ankle or lower leg problems. Podiatrists treat several foot or ankle issues, including calluses, heel spurs, arthritis and other ailments. Podiatrists can work for hospitals or clinics or own their own practice.

Podiatrists’ median hourly earnings are an estimated $77.81. For a 40-hour week, that could translate to an annual median salary of $161,844.

20. General Dentists

General dentists focus on providing general dental care for their patients, including routine teeth cleanings, fillings and crowns. Most general dentists who own their own practice oversee administrative tasks such as ordering supplies. They may also employ a team of hygienists and assistants to do their work.

General dentists in New York earn a median hourly wage of $74.10. This translates to roughly $154,128 per year.

How to Find High-Paying Jobs in New York

Depending on a person’s qualifications and desired role, finding a high-paying job in New York may not be as tricky as it sounds. The above professions typically require specialized training but investing time and energy into learning can pay off (literally) with a six-figure salary, even in more remote parts of the state.

Ultimately, one of the best ways to find jobs in New York is to search for them on LinkedIn. Connect with employers, check out online learning tools and discover new opportunities.

Top Takeaways

20 Highest-Paying Jobs in New York

• New York offers plenty of opportunities for job seekers in various fields.
• New York’s higher-than-average cost of living necessitates higher salaries throughout the state.
• Many of the highest-paying jobs in New York require advanced degrees or training.
• Finding a high-paying job in New York involves networking, continued education and knowing where to look.

(Reporting by NPD)