New York Salary Data
Salary comparisons across 1 metropolitan area in New York. State income tax rate: approximately 6.85%.
Metro Areas in New York
| Metro Area | COL Index | vs US Avg | State Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 187 | +87% | 6.85% |
Top Paying Occupations in New York
| Occupation | NY Avg | National Avg | vs National | Top City |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | $210,000 | $136,800 | +$73,200 | New York, NY |
| Software Developer | $168,000 | $127,433 | +$40,567 | New York, NY |
| Financial Analyst | $128,000 | $89,367 | +$38,633 | New York, NY |
| Registered Nurse | $105,000 | $80,900 | +$24,100 | New York, NY |
| Electrician | $92,000 | $65,367 | +$26,633 | New York, NY |
Salary by City — New York
4Working in New York: The Bigger Picture
New York hosts 1 major metropolitan area covered in this dataset: New York. The range of cost-of-living indices across these metros — 187 to 187 — shows how much intra-state variance matters. Costs are fairly uniform across metros — relocation within the state won't dramatically shift purchasing power.
New York's state income tax rate of approximately 6.85% is near the national average. On a $100,000 salary, state tax takes roughly $6,850 per year. Deductions for retirement contributions, state-specific credits, and itemized deductions can reduce the effective rate.
Economic drivers shape which occupations pay well in New York. The state's highest-paying of our featured occupations is Lawyer at an average of $210,000, concentrated in New York, NY. Metros with larger technology, healthcare, or financial-services concentrations tend to pay above national average for those roles; metros with primarily manufacturing, tourism, or agriculture tend to pay closer to national medians but with lower cost of living offsetting the difference.
For relocation planning, run the math both ways: (1) compare your current salary to the NY median for your occupation — if it's lower, you have negotiating leverage; and (2) compare the COL-adjusted figure, which tells you how much purchasing power you'd have. A 10% nominal pay cut in a 20% lower COL city is effectively a 12% raise in real terms. For a specific role, browse all occupations and drill into each one to see side-by-side city differences within New York.