These Are The 10 Best Jobs In New York For Recent College Grads

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Fastest Growing Jobs In New York

Source: Wikipedia

Graduating from college in 2026? You’re likely facing the big question: what’s next? As a recent grad, your immediate goal is probably to secure a job. However, the current job market is much more dynamic than in previous years, offering a variety of opportunities across sectors.

To assist your job search, we’ve researched and compiled a list of the 10 best jobs for recent college graduates in New York. Here’s what we found:

You might be surprised to see roles like “computer systems analysts” at the top of this list. Keep reading to discover how we selected these positions and why they are particularly appealing in today’s job landscape.

How We Identified the Best Entry-Level Jobs in New York

We’ve engaged with numerous recent graduates to understand their priorities when entering the job market. Their main considerations typically include:

Job Availability
Location
Salary
Growth Potential
Work-Life Balance

Thanks to comprehensive data from various sources, we assessed each of these factors. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers insights on salaries by region, while state labor departments compile job growth statistics. Moreover, O*NET Online provides data on job requirements and qualifications.

We created a detailed database by focusing on the following criteria:

Location Quotient: This measures how prevalent a job is in New York compared to the national average.
Only positions that require a college degree were included.
Average Annual Entry-Level Salary.
Projected Industry Growth Over the Next Decade.

After filtering the dataset to include only college degree-required jobs, we ranked 48 professions based on the above criteria.

Each job was scored from 1 to 48, with 1 being the best. We averaged these scores to derive a final “Job Score” for each position, allowing us to rank them accordingly.

Your First Job Awaits

Graduating college can be both exhilarating and daunting. Remember, this is a time filled with possibilities. You have numerous career paths to explore, or you may even consider traveling. With this curated list, you’re well-equipped to navigate the job market.

Here’s a detailed look at the best entry-level jobs for recent college graduates in the Empire State.

Detailed List of the Best Entry-Level Jobs in New York for Recent College Graduates

Rank	Job	Growth %	Entry Wage	Jobs in 2024
1	Computer Systems Analysts	30.09%	$52,720	48,860
2	Web Developers	34.72%	$38,260	14,550
3	Management Analysts	22.24%	$50,490	63,150
4	Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes	11.27%	$41,060	3,950
5	Film and Video Editors	19.44%	$29,000	6,020
6	Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors	24.81%	$28,740	11,770
7	Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	21.79%	$28,120	12,130
8	Credit Analysts	6.73%	$52,370	6,500
9	Self-Enrichment Education Teachers	27.65%	$20,720	54,530
10	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	14.9%	$50,240	28,690
11	Environmental Engineering Technicians	29.55%	$26,990	1,710
12	Commercial and Industrial Designers	11.43%	$37,320	3,510
13	Database Administrators	17.21%	$44,020	8,580
14	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	21.69%	$30,140	3,590
15	Directors, Religious Activities and Education	19.81%	$18,920	4,960
16	Technical Writers	19.81%	$43,820	2,480
17	Traffic Technicians	11.51%	$23,260	1,550
18	Advertising Sales Agents	9.82%	$31,470	28,970
19	Multimedia Artists and Animators	11.39%	$40,110	6,650
20	Human Resources Specialists	12.87%	$41,290	35,250
21	Sales Engineers	12.94%	$57,020	2,880
22	Cost Estimators	25.22%	$35,190	12,710
23	Social and Human Service Assistants	16.52%	$21,210	39,210
24	Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	2.59%	$66,060	5,150
25	Rehabilitation Counselors	16.51%	$22,650	11,500
26	Community Health Workers	22.26%	$25,310	4,010
27	Audio-Visual and Multimedia Collections Specialists	15.0%	$27,130	1,150
28	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	0.31%	$40,870	6,470
29	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	10.75%	$34,470	25,960
30	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists	9.5%	$50,330	11,410
31	Computer Programmers	0.86%	$45,070	23,460
32	Recreation Workers	18.28%	$18,780	35,590
33	Industrial Engineers	9.88%	$53,870	9,450
34	Credit Counselors	15.51%	$34,410	2,160
35	Computer Network Support Specialists	11.94%	$37,750	10,410
36	Occupational Health and Safety Technicians	10.99%	$40,760	1,010
37	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	10.11%	$44,090	15,470
38	Clergy	9.09%	$19,410	13,440
39	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	4.89%	$55,670	4,290
40	Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians	16.42%	$28,860	10,280
41	Interior Designers	5.16%	$30,830	4,480
42	Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	4.76%	$36,920	7,270
43	Residential Advisors	18.32%	$21,100	7,880
44	Insurance Sales Agents	3.72%	$30,870	28,420
45	Surveyors	3.62%	$41,680	1,430
46	Coaches and Scouts	16.31%	$19,820	17,970
47	Statistical Assistants	-8.47%	$36,320	1,080
48	Psychiatric Technicians	4.23%	$26,520	1,480

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

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.

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