top 12 jobs and growing industries in new york, new york.

New York City’s economy is back, and it’s better than ever. It took a major hit when the world shut down during the global pandemic, but the city’s leaders have developed a plan for a “New” New York, and the city is making great strides.

According to the New York State Department of Labor, New York City added 153,400 private sector jobs in the year to June 2023 — an annual growth of nearly 4 percent. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows the city’s leading industries include private education and health services (1,181,000 workers), professional and business services (785,500 workers) and financial activities (491,300 workers). The leisure and hospitality sector (456,100 workers) is also making a post-pandemic comeback, with the addition of more than 40,000 jobs in the 12 months leading up to June 2023.

Since salaries in New York trend above the national average, we’ve given ranges for the high end of each profession. Here are some of the best jobs in New York City in some of its most prominent industries.

New York is home to some of the world’s best-known healthcare systems. The nationally ranked Mount Sinai Health System, for example, has eight campuses across the city and employs more than 7,000 physicians. Medical writers are a critical component of these systems. They develop research-based healthcare and life sciences content to communicate critical scientific information. Medical writers in New York can expect to make between $118k and $134k.

A global financial powerhouse, New York offers an exciting range of opportunities in financial services, employing more than 300,000 workers in the sector. Key to the industry’s success are financial analysts. With more of these savvy professionals in New York state than anywhere else in the U.S., it’s no surprise the role is considered one of the best jobs in New York City. Projected growth for the field is 9 percent in the decade to 2031, and salaries average between $108k and $131k.

While the recovering leisure and hospitality industry may be the first that comes to mind when thinking of serving customers, every sector has a need for customer service representatives (CSRs). From the receptionist who answers the phone in the medical clinic to the support hotline for manufacturing clients, CSRs take care of people first and foremost. Salaries vary depending on the industry, but typically range from $42k to $49k.

Analytical individuals who love numbers may find a place as a bookkeeper in the Big Apple. From small tourist shops to sprawling international corporations, businesses of all sizes need bookkeepers to oversee their records and create the financial reports they depend on. With nearly 95,000 bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerk jobs throughout the state, New York ranks among the highest for employment levels in the industry and is one of the top-paying states. Bookkeepers can expect to earn between $48k and $52k.

Software engineering may sound like the kind of job you’d only find in a program development company, but the field actually crosses over into a lot of industries. For example, a software engineer might design the entire life cycle of an application for one of NYC’s large healthcare systems or a private education services group. Entry-level software engineers earn an average annual salary of around $67k, while those with more experience can expect over $167k.

One of the best work-from-home jobs in NYC, virtual assistant is an up-and-coming role in the city that never sleeps. Must-haves are top-notch communication and organizational skills, and you should be comfortable working with technology. Those who wish to work flexible hours from anywhere can take advantage of the high-paying opportunities in the city, where salaries can range from $43k to $50k.