What is the average wage in ?

Updated Apr. 11, 2026Refreshed monthly
The average wage was $1,291 per week in January 2026, 1.6% higher than a year before. The average weekly wage, the typical earnings that employees bring home for one week of work, is a valuable indicator to assess economic conditions, labor market health, and wage trends. When accounting for the cost of living, New York’s average weekly wage of $1,291 has the purchasing power of $1,196.

$1.29K

average weekly earnings, January 2026

1.6%

higher than a year before (adjusted for inflation)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases monthly statistics tracking the wages of all employees who don’t work for the government. In January 2026, the average weekly wage in New York was $1,291. That represents the wages of 8.3 million private-sector workers in the state.

As of January 2026, average weekly earnings for workers in New York was higher than the US overall.

12-month rolling average of average weekly earnings, 2007-2026, adjusted for inflation

As with other averages, most people earn more or less than the average weekly wage. Pay varies based on industry and occupation.

Which occupations have the highest wages?

In New York, workers in the financial activities sector had the highest average weekly earnings at $2,060 per week, as of January 2026. Leisure and hospitality workers had the lowest average weekly wage at $720.

In New York, financial activities workers had the highest average weekly wage.

Average weekly earnings, by industry (January 2026)

How do wages in New York compare to the national average?

Cost of living, which also varies based on location, impacts how far a person’s earnings can go. Someone earning the weekly average will have more or less purchasing power depending on location. In New York, cost of living is higher than the US overall, and the state’s average weekly wage of $1,291 has purchasing power equal to $1,196.
New York’s average weekly wage is above the national average, ranking 9th among states. When accounting for regional cost of living differences, New York ranks 30th among states.

Accounting for cost of living, New York had an average weekly wage of $1,196 in January 2026.

Average weekly wage, January 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)

Which metro areas in New York have the highest wages?

Among 13 metro areas at least partially located in New York, the Syracuse, NY area has the highest average weekly wage at $1,267, when accounting for the cost of living.

Among New York metro areas, the Syracuse, NY area had the highest wages, accounting for cost of living.

Average weekly wage, January 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.