Hourly Jobs in New York, NY
New York is the largest hourly job market in the country, and it spans everything from retail and restaurants to one of the nation's biggest home-care and healthcare workforces. New York City's minimum wage sits at 17.00 an hour, and demand is deep and constant across the five boroughs, though the high cost of living, especially rent, is the trade-off.
New York at a glance
- Metro population: about 19.5 million (New York City about 8.3 million)
- Minimum wage: 17.00 per hour (New York City, 2026; also Long Island and Westchester)
- What the market actually pays: most hourly jobs start around 17 to 21 per hour
- Tipped minimum: food-service tipped workers have a cash minimum of 11.35 with a tip credit up to 5.65, bringing the total to at least 17.00
- Typical hourly range: about 17 to 26 per hour depending on role and experience
- Cost of living: among the highest in the nation, with one-bedroom rent around 3,600 per month
Top hourly industries hiring in New York
- Healthcare and home care: one of the largest and fastest-hiring hourly sectors in the city.
- Retail: constant demand across Manhattan and the boroughs.
- Food service and hospitality: a vast restaurant, hotel, and tourism scene.
- Delivery and logistics: last-mile and warehouse work across the metro.
- Building services and security: large residential and commercial workforces.
Typical hourly pay in New York
- Retail associate: 17 to 21 per hour
- Fast food or line cook: 16 to 20 per hour
- Warehouse associate: 18 to 24 per hour
- Home health aide or CNA: 17 to 22 per hour
- Delivery driver: 17 to 24 per hour
- Building or security staff: 17 to 23 per hour
- Server: 11.35 base plus tips, often 20 to 32 per hour effective
(Ranges are local estimates. Confirm against current BLS metro figures before publishing.)
Getting hired in New York
- The 17.00 floor covers most sectors, including fast food; the same rate applies in Long Island and Westchester.
- Home care and healthcare is one of the largest and most reliable hourly hiring sectors, with demand across all five boroughs.
- Food-service tipped workers have an 11.35 cash minimum with a tip credit, so confirm how tips are handled.
- New York State and New York City both levy income tax, so factor both into take-home pay.