Most common jobs in New York City

The 10 largest occupations in America employ 30.5 million workers, representing 21% of all workers. Keeping America's economy moving would be impossible without office workers, package handlers, food prep workers, and truck drivers. And what would the sick do without the millions of hospital workers, nurses, and home health aides?

Stacker compiled a list of the most common jobs in New York using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by total employment as of May 2020. While much has changed during the coronavirus pandemic, the jobs featured here give a holistic view at the most popular industries in your area and how many jobs are supported.

Keep reading to see which jobs in New York are the most common.

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#50. Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 23,930 (2.708 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $80,190 (#10 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 191,170 (1.374 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $64,790
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ($100,570)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($97,360)
--- Merced, CA ($96,560)
- Job description: Teach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

2 / 50

#48 (tie). Tellers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 23,970 (2.713 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $35,750 (#47 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 423,570 (3.045 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $32,960
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,600)
--- Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ($38,770)
--- Redding, CA ($38,530)
- Job description: Receive and pay out money. Keep records of money and negotiable instruments involved in a financial institution's various transactions.

3 / 50

#48 (tie). Producers and directors

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 23,970 (2.713 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $122,140 (#3 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 119,490 (0.859 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $96,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($135,160)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($128,250)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($122,140)
- Job description: Produce or direct stage, television, radio, video, or film productions for entertainment, information, or instruction. Responsible for creative decisions, such as interpretation of script, choice of actors or guests, set design, sound, special effects, and choreography.

4 / 50

#47. First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 24,410 (2.763 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $86,060 (#12 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 475,000 (3.415 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $73,100
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($95,680)
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($93,140)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($92,810)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

5 / 50

#46. Network and computer systems administrators

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 25,200 (2.852 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $106,060 (#5 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 339,560 (2.441 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $89,460
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor's degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($134,260)
--- Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD ($116,840)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($111,790)
- Job description: Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.

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6 / 50

#45. Public relations specialists

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 25,390 (2.873 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $82,510 (#11 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 244,550 (1.758 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $71,940
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($104,370)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($96,630)
--- Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ($92,160)
- Job description: Promote or create an intended public image for individuals, groups, or organizations. May write or select material for release to various communications media. May specialize in using social media.

7 / 50

#44. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 25,650 (2.903 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $74,420 (#26 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 417,440 (3.001 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $61,100
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($106,100)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($94,280)
--- Kankakee, IL ($93,420)
- Job description: Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems. Includes sprinkler fitters.

8 / 50

#43. Preschool teachers, except special education

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 26,360 (2.983 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $47,460 (#14 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 370,940 (2.667 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,550
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Midland, TX ($58,080)
--- Odessa, TX ($54,120)
--- Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV ($52,350)
- Job description: Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.

9 / 50

#42. Medical and health services managers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 27,400 (3.102 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $153,590 (#7 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 402,540 (2.894 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $118,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($174,010)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($171,430)
--- Madera, CA ($168,090)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

10 / 50

#41. First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 27,540 (3.117 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $66,910 (#17 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 477,430 (3.432 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $58,300
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fairbanks, AK ($80,810)
--- Houma-Thibodaux, LA ($76,610)
--- Odessa, TX ($76,050)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of material-moving machine and vehicle operators and helpers.

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#40. Paralegals and legal assistants

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 27,600 (3.124 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $64,850 (#17 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 332,720 (2.392 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $56,610
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($93,110)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($90,280)
--- Trenton, NJ ($77,970)
- Job description: Assist lawyers by investigating facts, preparing legal documents, or researching legal precedent. Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

12 / 50

#39. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 29,070 (3.290 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $34,080 (#6 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 374,940 (2.695 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,300
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($42,670)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($40,390)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($37,720)
- Job description: Facilitate food service. Clean tables; remove dirty dishes; replace soiled table linens; set tables; replenish supply of clean linens, silverware, glassware, and dishes; supply service bar with food; and serve items such as water, condiments, and coffee to patrons.

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#38. Medical assistants

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 32,000 (3.622 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $40,020 (#49 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 710,200 (5.106 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,930
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($53,960)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($53,660)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($52,520)
- Job description: Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding information for insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by physician.

14 / 50

#37. Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 34,270 (3.879 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $57,270 (#54 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 676,440 (4.863 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $50,090
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($75,950)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($74,820)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($74,520)
- Job description: Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.

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#36. Billing and posting clerks

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 34,560 (3.912 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $47,260 (#17 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 445,160 (3.2 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $41,610
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($57,240)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,200)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($51,800)
- Job description: Compile, compute, and record billing, accounting, statistical, and other numerical data for billing purposes. Prepare billing invoices for services rendered or for delivery or shipment of goods.

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#35. Production, planning, and expediting clerks

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 37,470 (4.241 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $55,410 (#56 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 362,090 (2.603 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $52,000
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bremerton-Silverdale, WA ($69,410)
--- Pine Bluff, AR ($68,850)
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($66,920)
- Job description: Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

17 / 50

#34. Social and human service assistants

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 39,470 (4.468 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $40,300 (#82 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 399,920 (2.875 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $38,230
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Yuba City, CA ($60,070)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($55,910)
--- Merced, CA ($53,300)
- Job description: Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.

18 / 50

#33. Carpenters

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 41,500 (4.697 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $71,050 (#12 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 699,300 (5.027 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $54,200
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($82,950)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($82,300)
--- Hanford-Corcoran, CA ($79,870)
- Job description: Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.

19 / 50

#32. Maids and housekeeping cleaners

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 42,240 (4.781 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $37,790 (#7 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 795,590 (5.72 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $28,010
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($44,640)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($41,370)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($40,490)
- Job description: Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial establishments, such as hotels and hospitals, in a clean and orderly manner. Duties may include making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.

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#31. Human resources specialists

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 42,260 (4.784 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $82,580 (#8 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 647,810 (4.657 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $69,430
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor's degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($96,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,680)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($90,130)
- Job description: Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.

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21 / 50

#30. Cooks, restaurant

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 44,590 (5.048 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,050 (#10 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,109,650 (7.977 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,530
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($45,200)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($39,950)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($39,450)
- Job description: Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

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#29. Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 45,020 (5.096 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $38,650 (#32 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 872,370 (6.272 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $33,800
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($46,990)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($45,160)
--- New Haven, CT ($43,820)
- Job description: Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

23 / 50

#28. Packers and packagers, hand

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 46,090 (5.218 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,780 (#50 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 599,270 (4.308 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,270
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Rome, GA ($39,770)
--- Longview, WA ($39,680)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($36,820)
- Job description: Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

24 / 50

#27. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 47,620 (5.390 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $89,200 (#2 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 599,520 (4.31 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $64,990
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($101,970)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($89,200)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($88,220)
- Job description: Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.

25 / 50

#26. Light truck drivers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 49,200 (5.569 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $44,230 (#45 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 929,470 (6.682 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $41,050
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($52,420)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($51,890)
--- Anchorage, AK ($51,590)
- Job description: Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle.

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26 / 50

#25. First-line supervisors of retail sales workers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 50,210 (5.683 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $58,360 (#8 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,063,110 (7.643 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $47,300
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($62,180)
--- Yakima, WA ($61,710)
--- Sheboygan, WI ($61,610)
- Job description: Directly supervise and coordinate activities of retail sales workers in an establishment or department. Duties may include management functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory duties.

27 / 50

#24. Management analysts

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 55,140 (6.242 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $119,170 (#6 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 734,000 (5.277 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $97,580
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($163,720)
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($157,490)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($135,250)
- Job description: Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

28 / 50

#23. Construction laborers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 59,570 (6.743 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $61,250 (#6 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 971,330 (6.983 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $43,000
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI ($66,670)
--- Kankakee, IL ($65,730)
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($63,860)
- Job description: Perform tasks involving physical labor at construction sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: air hammers, earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites, dig trenches, set braces to support the sides of excavations, erect scaffolding, and clean up rubble, debris, and other waste materials. May assist other craft workers.

29 / 50

#22. Police and sheriff's patrol officers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 60,100 (6.803 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $86,290 (#24 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 654,900 (4.708 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $70,000
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($131,090)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($122,570)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($115,690)
- Job description: Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, or serve legal processes of courts. Includes police officers working at educational institutions.

30 / 50

#21. Food preparation workers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 61,770 (6.993 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,180 (#45 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 793,590 (5.705 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $26,820
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($37,330)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($36,120)
--- Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($35,860)
- Job description: Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

31 / 50

#20. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 64,360 (7.285 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $56,960 (#13 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,797,710 (12.924 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $48,710
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($65,170)
--- Danville, IL ($63,230)
--- Lewiston, ID-WA ($62,250)
- Job description: Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.

32 / 50

#19. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 72,100 (8.161 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $156,380 (#1 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 440,300 (3.165 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $96,540
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($156,380)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($155,340)
--- Missoula, MT ($122,420)
- Job description: Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.

33 / 50

#18. Sales representatives of services, except advertising, insurance, financial services, and travel

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 74,470 (8.429 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $87,700 (#9 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 977,070 (7.024 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $70,490
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($115,620)
--- Lawrence, KS ($97,910)
--- Boulder, CO ($94,870)
- Job description: Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.

34 / 50

#17. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 76,650 (8.676 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $88,950 (#5 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 690,160 (4.962 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $73,970
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($117,900)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($97,720)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,150)
- Job description: Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.

35 / 50

#16. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 79,090 (8.952 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $83,980 (#26 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,278,670 (9.192 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $73,500
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Danbury, CT ($112,810)
--- Napa, CA ($101,850)
--- Santa Fe, NM ($93,680)
- Job description: Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.

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36 / 50

#15. Elementary school teachers, except special education

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 90,750 (10.272 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $85,740 (#13 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,364,870 (9.812 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $65,420
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($99,360)
--- Kingston, NY ($93,780)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($92,910)
- Job description: Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.

37 / 50

#14. Receptionists and information clerks

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 97,540 (11.041 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $37,550 (#11 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 968,420 (6.962 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $32,410
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Napa, CA ($43,270)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($42,160)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($41,840)
- Job description: Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.

38 / 50

#13. Maintenance and repair workers, general

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 104,130 (11.787 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $50,950 (#13 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,357,630 (9.76 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $43,790
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,140)
--- Yuba City, CA ($57,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($54,820)
- Job description: Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, mechanical equipment, or the structure of a building in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; HVAC maintenance; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.

39 / 50

#12. Software developers and software quality assurance analysts and testers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 104,470 (11.826 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $123,600 (#9 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,476,800 (10.617 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $114,270
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($157,480)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($144,740)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($140,930)
- Job description: Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

40 / 50

#11. Waiters and waitresses

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 107,510 (12.170 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $37,690 (#17 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,944,240 (13.977 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $27,470
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Urban Honolulu, HI ($62,630)
--- Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI ($57,210)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($43,160)
- Job description: Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.

41 / 50

#10. Stockers and order fillers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 114,730 (12.987 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $32,580 (#78 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,210,960 (15.895 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $31,010
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Odessa, TX ($39,130)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($39,040)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($38,580)
- Job description: Receive, store, and issue merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May operate power equipment to fill orders. May mark prices on merchandise and set up sales displays.

42 / 50

#9. Accountants and auditors

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 119,910 (13.573 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $105,720 (#2 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,274,620 (9.163 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $81,660
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($111,680)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($105,720)
--- Midland, TX ($103,120)
- Job description: Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

43 / 50

#8. Security guards

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 120,900 (13.685 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $38,130 (#63 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 1,054,400 (7.58 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $34,360
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Idaho Falls, ID ($66,030)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($61,090)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($51,850)
- Job description: Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules. May operate x-ray and metal detector equipment.

44 / 50

#7. Customer service representatives

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 143,550 (16.249 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $45,610 (#8 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,833,250 (20.368 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $38,510
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($49,930)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($47,720)
--- Midland, MI ($47,250)
- Job description: Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

45 / 50

#6. Fast food and counter workers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 145,240 (16.440 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $29,190 (#42 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 3,450,120 (24.803 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $24,540
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($34,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($34,000)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($33,370)
- Job description: Perform duties such as taking orders and serving food and beverages. Serve customers at counter or from a steam table. May take payment. May prepare food and beverages.

46 / 50

#5. General and operations managers

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 152,090 (17.216 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $172,370 (#3 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,347,420 (16.876 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $125,740
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($183,170)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($175,990)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($172,370)
- Job description: Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

47 / 50

#4. Office clerks, general

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 164,300 (18.598 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $39,580 (#73 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,788,090 (20.044 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $37,770
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($49,560)
--- Napa, CA ($47,570)
--- Boulder, CO ($47,160)
- Job description: Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

48 / 50

#3. Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 170,340 (19.282 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $36,570 (#44 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,805,200 (20.167 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $33,710
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($42,690)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($41,900)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($41,820)
- Job description: Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.

49 / 50

#2. Registered nurses

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 173,570 (19.647 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $94,920 (#27 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 2,986,500 (21.47 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $80,010
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($149,200)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($146,870)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($142,140)
- Job description: Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

50 / 50

#1. Retail salespersons

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
- Employment: 219,790 (24.879 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $35,490 (#24 highest pay among all metros)

National
- Employment: 3,659,670 (26.31 per 1,000 jobs)
- Annual mean salary: $30,940
- Entry level education requirements: No formal educational credential
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($43,160)
--- Carson City, NV ($40,030)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($39,160)
- Job description: Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.

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