MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN NEW YORK
New York City is the most famous, largest, and most economically developed city in the United States. In 2024, the population of the Big Apple is about 9 million people, more than twice the population of Los Angeles, which is in second place (4 million). When planning a job in the U.S., most often foreign job seekers pay attention to New York. This is not surprising.
The scale of the local economy allows many foreigners to look for work in New York in a variety of fields, including medicine, information technology, finance, construction and tourism. Meanwhile, the city's average pay rate is higher than most major American metropolitan areas. Of course, getting a job and opening a work visa in the U.S. is not easy at all. Next, let's talk about minimum and average wages in New York City in 2024.
Minimum salary in New York City
According to New York State Department of Labor officials, the minimum wage rate in all cities was expected to reach $15 per hour by 2023. Companies in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties joined New York City (small and large employers) and fast food establishments across the state in setting a minimum wage rate of $16 per hour.
Note. New York's base minimum wage in 2024 is $16 per hour. The most recent increase (by $1) is December 31, 2023.
In the rest of New York State, employers are required to pay workers a minimum of $15 per hour. In addition, the minimum wage may vary slightly depending on the occupation. In particular, this applies to the construction industry, the hospitality industry (including fast food), agriculture and farming.
Under local law, New York City's minimum wage rates go up for overtime work. Workers must be paid at least $22.50 per hour if they work more than 40 hours per week. If the prime rate is $16 an hour, the amount goes down to $21.30 an hour.
Important. At the federal level, the U.S. minimum wage in 2024 is $7.25 per hour.
Note. New York employers who violate the minimum wage law face fines of up to 200% of the unpaid income to the employee, and in some cases there is even criminal liability.
Average salary in New York City
According to official figures from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, the average pre-tax wage in New York City in 2024 is $75,400 a year (about $6,300 a month). The weekly rate is $1,450. The highest-paying occupations in New York City are doctors.
Specifically, anesthesiologists can expect an average annual income of around $271,500 and surgeons at $240,000. By comparison, police officers in New York City earn on average about $73,000 a year, janitors $33,500, waiters $31,300, and cashiers only $23,900.
| OCCUPATION | DOLLARS PER YEAR |
| Anesthesiologist | 271,510 |
| Surgeon | 239,690 |
| Orthodontist | 234,900 |
| Executive (manager) | 217,650 |
| Financial Manager | 205,500 |
| Advertising Managers | 172,540 |
| Lawyer | 165,260 |
| Financial analyst | 134,560 |
| Air traffic controller | 129,460 |
| Pharmacist | 120,440 |
| Airline pilot | 114,440 |
| Crane operator | 103,530 |
| Real estate sales agent | 102,310 |
| Architect | 100,760 |
| Accountant and auditor | 95,430 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 15,400 |
| Computer programmer | 89,260 |
| High school teacher | 80,940 |
| Electrician | 76,480 |
| Police officer | 73,000 |
| Firefighter | 70,560 |
| Fitness coach | 60,730 |
| Tax consultant | 54,470 |
| Builder | 49,440 |
| Sports coach | 48,150 |
| Flight Attendant | 44,270 |
| Travel agent | 40,050 |
| Cab Driver (chauffeur) | 34,470 |
| Security guard | 34,390 |
| Hairdresser | 32,740 |
| Bartender | 31,510 |
| Waiter | 31,310 |
| Cook | 28,740 |
| Retailer | 28,110 |
| Cashier | 23,850 |
Note. *The average wages by occupation in New York City are pre-tax and are based on the most recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Statistics.
Finally, we note that the U.S. has progressive income tax rates. For example, in 2024, a single American worker with income up to $11,600 a year is charged 10%, and if the amount exceeds $609,350 the rate is already 37%.
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