Jobs that pay the biggest premium in New York
Each occupation's median wage in New York compared against the national median for the same occupation. Unlike a cost-of-living adjustment — which scales every job in a state by the same constant and so cannot change their order — this genuinely re-ranks, and it shows where New York pays a real premium. Limited to occupations with at least 1,000 workers in the state.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianNew York | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | vs. national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsBachelor's degree | $168,340 | $59,960 – $329,460 | +114.0% |
| 2 | Flight AttendantsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $126,650 | $52,430 – $163,750 | +99.2% |
| 3 | Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $102,990 | $48,350 – $178,710 | +94.9% |
| 4 | BartendersNo formal educational credential | $61,210 | $33,640 – $93,530 | +78.2% |
| 5 | Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc JockeysBachelor's degree | $81,310 | $35,300 – $621,330 | +71.8% |
| 6 | FirefightersPostsecondary nondegree award | $100,960 | $56,390 – $106,440 | +70.3% |
| 7 | Reinforcing Iron and Rebar WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $98,040 | $65,910 – $134,310 | +66.3% |
| 8 | Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and DaycareBachelor's degree | $96,810 | $57,770 – $156,440 | +63.3% |
| 9 | News Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsBachelor's degree | $100,770 | $49,500 – $327,640 | +62.0% |
| 10 | Credit AnalystsBachelor's degree | $133,270 | $76,730 – $241,220 | +59.6% |
| 11 | Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree | $166,400 | $76,190 – $427,700 | +58.4% |
| 12 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All OtherPostsecondary nondegree award | $102,990 | $58,000 – $170,210 | +56.5% |
| 13 | Clinical Laboratory Technologists and TechniciansBachelor's degree | $97,280 | $50,060 – $132,530 | +54.6% |
| 14 | ChiropractorsDoctoral or professional degree | $120,950 | $63,240 – $215,640 | +52.7% |
| 15 | Advertising Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $98,360 | $49,560 – $178,600 | +51.7% |
| 16 | Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $50,860 | $32,240 – $58,540 | +48.2% |
| 17 | ConciergesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $57,570 | $38,820 – $63,880 | +47.8% |
| 18 | Hazardous Materials Removal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $73,090 | $47,600 – $99,320 | +47.8% |
| 19 | Structural Iron and Steel WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $92,610 | $59,140 – $129,180 | +47.5% |
| 20 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree | $94,840 | $60,040 – $137,370 | +47.3% |
| 21 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $217,640 | $107,670 – $378,910 | +46.8% |
| 22 | Museum Technicians and ConservatorsBachelor's degree | $74,550 | $46,000 – $103,800 | +44.9% |
| 23 | Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom SewersNo formal educational credential | $60,210 | $40,470 – $89,980 | +44.6% |
| 24 | Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award | $177,430 | $63,080 – $297,680 | +44.0% |
| 25 | Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent | $84,480 | $57,610 – $84,700 | +43.1% |
| 26 | Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and IllustratorsBachelor's degree | $78,870 | $50,010 – $154,630 | +42.1% |
| 27 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $99,390 | $57,510 – $208,740 | +42.0% |
| 28 | First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award | $132,520 | $87,670 – $158,510 | +41.7% |
| 29 | Court Reporters and Simultaneous CaptionersPostsecondary nondegree award | $101,990 | $60,360 – $143,790 | +40.8% |
| 30 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and MagistratesDoctoral or professional degree | $216,390 | $166,930 – $232,590 | +40.5% |
| 31 | Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree | $93,820 | $59,720 – $132,490 | +40.4% |
| 32 | Interpreters and TranslatorsBachelor's degree | $84,090 | $48,930 – $127,350 | +39.8% |
| 33 | Building Cleaning Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential | $61,580 | $46,740 – $72,630 | +39.8% |
| 34 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $121,780 | $64,490 – $198,130 | +39.1% |
| 35 | Film and Video EditorsBachelor's degree | $103,440 | $55,990 – $172,280 | +37.2% |
| 36 | BailiffsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $77,540 | $56,400 – $96,770 | +37.0% |
| 37 | Financial ExaminersBachelor's degree | $128,920 | $70,710 – $216,090 | +36.9% |
| 38 | Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorHigh school diploma or equivalent | $101,150 | $58,490 – $128,240 | +36.1% |
| 39 | Brickmasons and BlockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $84,410 | $60,470 – $127,980 | +35.9% |
| 40 | Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $100,960 | $50,470 – $120,090 | +35.8% |
| 41 | Nurse AnesthetistsMaster's degree | $321,030 | $144,900 – $342,480 | +35.7% |
| 42 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment OperatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $80,980 | $50,190 – $144,920 | +35.3% |
| 43 | Opticians, DispensingHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,880 | $43,060 – $81,200 | +35.2% |
| 44 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $155,360 | $86,250 – $244,590 | +35.1% |
| 45 | Fundraising ManagersBachelor's degree | $169,510 | $102,040 – $304,970 | +35.1% |
| 46 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree | $97,070 | $60,070 – $136,450 | +34.7% |
| 47 | PhotographersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $60,050 | $37,890 – $109,470 | +34.5% |
| 48 | Locomotive EngineersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $109,220 | $61,110 – $110,280 | +34.2% |
| 49 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree | $85,760 | $56,760 – $136,260 | +34.1% |
| 50 | Dietetic TechniciansAssociate's degree | $50,420 | $35,620 – $64,950 | +34.0% |