Find a Job You Really Want In
New York has long been recognized as the land of opportunity, a place where hard work can lead to a better life for individuals and their families. In 2026, the work ethic continues to thrive in certain areas of the Empire State, showcasing dedication and commitment to professional success.
While every corner of New York is filled with industrious individuals, some communities exemplify this Puritan work ethic more than others. Among these, Pelham Manor stands out as the hardest working place in New York, where the commute itself has become a testament to their work commitment.
So, which other places in New York are burning the midnight oil to secure their financial futures? Here’s a look at the top contenders for the hardest working communities in the state:
- Pelham Manor
- Pelham
- Kings Point
- Lawrence
- Scarsdale
- Briarcliff Manor
- Larchmont
- East Hills
- Irvington
- Garden City
Listen up, Salamanca; there’s much to learn from these hardworking communities across the state.
For more insights on employment in New York, explore:
How We Determined the Hardest Working Places in the Empire State
At Zippia, we rely on data to tackle important questions. Our analysis utilized the latest American Community Survey data to identify the hardest working areas in New York.
We based our rankings on the following criteria:
- Average hours worked per week
- Average commute time
- Workers per household (employed labor force divided by the number of households)
- Labor force participation rate
- Percentage of adults with a college degree
Our logic was straightforward: those who invest years in education, actively seek employment, work long hours, and endure lengthy commutes deserve recognition. After evaluating data from all 170 locations in New York, we ranked them accordingly, with a lower number indicating higher work dedication.
The community with the lowest hardworking index earned the title of “Hardest Working Place in New York”—and this year, Pelham Manor has once again claimed this honor.
Explore the detailed chart below for insights into each location’s ranking and statistics.
1. Pelham Manor
Population: 5,539
College Graduates: 73.1%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 41.6
Workers Per Household: 1.6
2. Pelham
Population: 6,984
College Graduates: 56.3%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 41.2
Workers Per Household: 1.7
3. Kings Point
Population: 5,076
College Graduates: 56.7%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.2
Workers Per Household: 1.6
4. Lawrence
Population: 6,511
College Graduates: 75.9%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 39.1
Workers Per Household: 1.3
5. Scarsdale
Population: 17,471
College Graduates: 86.7%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 43.3
Workers Per Household: 1.4
6. Briarcliff Manor
Population: 7,783
College Graduates: 72.3%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 38.1
Workers Per Household: 1.4
7. Larchmont
Population: 5,952
College Graduates: 83.8%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 43.5
Workers Per Household: 1.4
8. East Hills
Population: 7,025
College Graduates: 76.8%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 40.9
Workers Per Household: 1.4
9. Irvington
Population: 6,506
College Graduates: 70.1%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 39.7
Workers Per Household: 1.4
10. Garden City
Population: 22,543
College Graduates: 67.1%
Average Hours Worked Per Week: 39.8
Workers Per Household: 1.4
Detailed List of Hardest Working Places in New York
| City | Rank |
|---|---|
| Pelham Manor | 1 |
| Pelham | 2 |
| Kings Point | 3 |
| Lawrence | 4 |
| Scarsdale | 5 |
| Briarcliff Manor | 6 |
| Larchmont | 7 |
| East Hills | 8 |
| Irvington | 9 |
| Garden City | 10 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
