Find a Job You Really Want In
When we think of New York, it often conjures images of vibrant culture, iconic landmarks, and culinary delights. However, the city is also home to a dynamic economy and a robust job market that continues to evolve.
At Zippia, we analyze local economies to identify which sectors are thriving and provide valuable insights for job seekers and those considering relocation for employment opportunities.
In this article, we explore the most promising industries in New York for 2026.
After examining all the available data, we arrived at this list of the five best industries for jobs in New York:
Read on to discover how we determined which industries stand out in New York’s competitive job landscape.
If you’re looking for more insights, check out our articles on the New York job scene:
- Top 100 Highest Paying Jobs in Nassau County
- Top 100 Highest Paying Jobs in New York
- 20 Best Small Companies to Work For in New York
How We Identified the Best Industries for Jobs in New York
We believe data is a reliable guide, often more accurate than individual opinions. Our mission involved gathering extensive data regarding the New York job market.
To pinpoint the best industries, we used the following criteria:
- Average Salary
- Job Availability
- Average Stress Level of Jobs in the Industry
Data sources include the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor.
Stress levels were assessed through self-reported statistics from professionals in each industry, with rankings from 1 (best) to 20.
We combined these rankings to create a ‘Best Industry’ index, with the Education, Training, and Library sector emerging as the leading industry in New York.
For a detailed table of the data, see below. Now, let’s delve into why these industries excel for job seekers.
Detailed List of the Best Industries in New York
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education, Training, and Library | $65,870 |
| 2 | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $77,460 |
| 3 | Business and Financial Operations | $92,630 |
| 4 | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $88,390 |
| 5 | Computer and Mathematical | $93,260 |
| 6 | Community and Social Service | $51,850 |
| 7 | Office and Administrative Support | $42,220 |
| 8 | Architecture and Engineering | $82,900 |
| 9 | Life, Physical, and Social Science | $74,520 |
| 10 | Personal Care and Service | $29,870 |
| 11 | Protective Service | $51,430 |
| 12 | Sales | $51,470 |
| 13 | Healthcare Support | $30,540 |
| 14 | Construction and Extraction | $62,960 |
| 15 | Production and Manufacturing | $38,780 |
| 16 | Transportation | $40,030 |
| 17 | Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $33,660 |
| 18 | Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $51,130 |
| 19 | Food Preparation and Serving Related | $27,270 |
| 20 | Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $34,680 |
Conclusion: The Best Industries for Jobs in New York
In summary, the Education, Training, and Library industry stands out as the leading sector for job seekers in New York as of 2026.
Conversely, the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry industry ranks the lowest, primarily due to limited job opportunities and lower salaries.
For further reading, check out:
- 20 Best Companies to Work For in Buffalo
- 100 Lowest Paying Jobs in New York
- 10 Best Jobs in New York for Recent College Graduates
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.
