Average salary in New York

The sheer size of New York State makes it difficult to define a 'good' salary. The state is home to some of the country's most expensive cities to live in, yet earnings can vary massively. Whether you already live in New York State, or are thinking of making the move, it can be helpful to establish what the financial landscape looks like. 

Numerous sources rank New York State as one of the most expensive states in the country to live in. According to a study by CNBC, New York State is ranked as the fourth most expensive state in the U.S. The high cost of living in cities like New York City, Buffalo, and Rochester contributes to this ranking. Accordingly, we can expect the average salaries to match up—which is why it is such an attractive prospect to many. The earning potential available in New York State is an incentive for many to head to the East Coast. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries? 

Average salary in New York by city 

City living is often more expensive than living in more rural areas, but it’s also where the money is. However, what’s interesting about New York state’s densely populated cities is that average household income is far less than in the suburbs or smaller population towns. Many of these smaller localities command more than $200,000 in average household income, whereas New York City itself is less than half this. 

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities.  

The US Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey has calculated the average earnings for the largest cities in New York, which you can find ranked below.  

Average salary in New York by county 

Reviewing average salaries in New York by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in New York by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county.  

Highest paying jobs in New York

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in New York: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by occupation area, which you can also find below.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in New York state

What is the average salary in New York by age?
Alongside location and occupation, salaries in New York are also dependent on age, since more senior workers will be paid more. Then, when they retire, their income will dip again as they will rely on pensions and other forms of set income.

The Census Bureau data finds that householders under 25 years old have a median income of $42,726; householders aged 25 to 44 years old have a median income of $77,348; those aged 45 to 64 years old have a median income of $91,521; and those 65 and older have a median income of $50,471.

What is a ‘good’ salary in New York?
The median income in New York State is $72,108. However, defining a 'good' salary depends on various factors such as location, industry, and personal expenses. For example, $150,000 may be a high salary in some areas of the state, but in New York City, it may be considered closer to average.

What is the average salary in New York by hour?
If Americans work an average of 1,801 hours per year—at 37.5 hours a week—then the average hourly salary in New York is $40.03.

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