TL;DR: New York City is the second-largest tech hub in the world, with over 200,000 tech jobs, $189 billion in sector value, and strong demand across AI, fintech, healthtech, and cybersecurity. This guide covers what the NYC tech market looks like right now, which roles are hiring, what they pay, and how to stand out as a candidate — whether you’re a seasoned engineer or making a career switch.
Tech jobs in New York are booming. In fact, they’re growing 10 times faster than private sector jobs overall. The city’s tech sector now accounts for 14% of all employment growth citywide over the past decade, and there’s no sign it’s slowing down.
Whether you’re already in New York or thinking about making the move, this is a market worth paying attention to. AI, fintech, and healthtech are thriving, salaries are well above the national average, and companies are actively competing for skilled talent. Here’s what you need to know to land your next tech role in NYC.
Why New York is a top city for tech jobs
New York has come a long way from its “Silicon Alley” roots in the 1990s. Today, the city is the world’s second-largest tech hub, with a tech sector valued at over $189 billion and more than 25,000 tech-enabled startups. What makes NYC different from other tech cities is the sheer variety. Tech here is woven into finance, healthcare, media, fashion, and retail, creating opportunities you won’t find in traditional tech hubs.
The numbers tell a clear story. There are currently 205K tech jobs in the city, up from 161K in 2019. That’s a 26% jump in about five years. The average base salary for NYC tech workers sits at $162,038, and specialized roles in AI and cloud computing pay significantly more.
NYC also stands out for diversity. Black and Latinx workers make up 20% of the city’s tech talent, which is twice as large as the Bay Area or Boston. More than 200 languages are spoken across the city’s workforce, and immigrants make up about 47% of tech workers. If you’re looking for a tech community that reflects the real world, NYC is hard to beat.The NYC tech job market now
The market is active and competitive. NYC led the nation with 12,853 tech job postings in March 2025 — that’s 6,556 more than San Francisco. Tech employment grew 3% from year-end 2024 to mid-2025, and is now 18% above its pre-pandemic level from 2019.
AI is the biggest driver right now. NYC-based AI companies raised $15.84 billion in 2025, a 50% increase from 2024. The city is home to over 2,000 AI startups, 35 AI unicorns, and more than 40,000 AI professionals. One out of every five new tech job postings in New York now requires AI-related skills.
Work arrangements vary greatly in the city. About half of NYC tech roles are fully in-office, with roughly 30% hybrid and 20% remote. Companies are still figuring out the right balance, but the trend in New York leans more toward in-person or hybrid than fully remote.
High-demand tech roles in New York
If you’re wondering which roles are getting hired the fastest, here’s what the data shows. Salary ranges come from Motion Recruitment’s 2026 NYC Salary Guide and Robert Half’s 2026 report:
- AI architects: $170,000–$234,900. These professionals design the strategy and infrastructure for enterprise AI adoption. Demand has surged as companies move from pilot projects to full-scale deployment.
- AI and machine learning (ML) engineers: $168,000–$228,000. They build, train, and refine the models behind chatbots, recommendation systems, and predictive tools. Supply still can’t keep up with demand.
- Software engineers: $90,000–$198,000. Still the backbone of every tech team, with strong hiring across fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS companies.
- Data scientists: $132,000–$240,000. They turn complex data into business strategy. NYC’s concentration of finance and healthcare companies makes this role especially valuable here.
- Cloud architects: $150,000–$210,000. As companies scale their cloud infrastructure to support AI workloads, experienced cloud architects are in high demand.
- Cybersecurity engineers: $65,000–$168,000. NYC has a cybersecurity workforce over 60,000 strong, and the field is projected to grow 33% over the next decade.
- DevOps engineers: $150,000–$240,000. They bridge development and operations, automating workflows and keeping systems running smoothly.
Top industries hiring tech talent in NYC
New York’s tech scene is defined by its cross-industry reach. Here are the sectors driving the most hiring:
AI and machine learning are the fastest-growing segments. Over 20% of Tech:NYC’s member companies are AI-focused, and the city saw more than 25,000 AI job postings in 2024 alone.
Fintech is a longtime NYC strength. The city is home to the second-largest fintech startup ecosystem in the U.S., with 375 startups that have raised over $21 billion. In 2024, New York accounted for 30% of all U.S. fintech investment.
Healthtech is booming. NYC ranks number one in U.S. healthtech job postings, and 113 local health tech companies raised $4 billion in 2024 — up 60% from the previous year.
Media tech and adtech benefit from NYC’s deep roots in publishing, advertising, and entertainment. Technology is embedded in how content gets created, distributed, and monetized here.
Cybersecurity is another standout, with a workforce of over 60,000 and more than 300 dedicated cyber companies operating in the city.How to stand out when applying for NYC tech jobs
New York’s tech market is full of opportunity, but it’s also competitive. Here’s how to give yourself an edge.
Tailor your resume for the role, not the industry
NYC tech hiring spans dozens of industries. A software engineering role at a fintech startup looks different from the same title at a healthcare company. Study the job description, mirror its language, and highlight the skills and experience that match what that specific team needs. Generic resumes get lost in the pile.
Build your network in NYC’s tech community
Networking matters more in New York than almost anywhere else. The city has a dense ecosystem of tech meetups, conferences, and community events. New York Tech Week draws thousands of professionals each year, and smaller gatherings — like AI-focused panels, fintech mixers, and coding meetups — happen weekly across Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Join communities like Tech:NYC and PowerToFly, which is headquartered in New York and regularly hosts virtual hiring events, networking sessions, and career development workshops that connect job seekers with top employers across the city. Attend events on platforms like Built In NYC, and don't underestimate the value of informal coffee chats. Many NYC tech jobs are filled through referrals and warm introductions.
Sharpen the skills employers are actually hiring for
The skills employers want are shifting fast. Right now, the most in-demand capabilities include Python, JavaScript, cloud computing (AWS and Azure), AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, and data analytics. AI positions now make up over 14% of all tech job postings in NYC, and that number keeps climbing.
Here’s the good news: investing in AI skills right now gives you a real edge. According to Motion Recruitment’s 2026 salary guide, over half of tech professionals have made little or no progress developing generative AI expertise. That’s a gap you can fill.
Prepare for the NYC interview style
NYC interviews tend to be direct, fast-paced, and practical. Companies here value people who can communicate clearly, solve problems under pressure, and show they’ve done their homework on the company and its product. Expect a mix of technical assessments and behavioral questions, and come ready to talk about how your work created real results.
For technical roles, make sure you’re comfortable with live coding exercises, system design discussions, and data-driven problem-solving. For non-technical tech roles (like product management or UX), be prepared to walk through case studies and demonstrate your process.
You don’t necessarily need a four-year degree
One of the biggest shifts in NYC tech hiring is the move toward skills-based recruitment. 44% of tech ecosystem jobs are open to people without bachelor’s degrees, and those roles pay nearly 50% more than average industry wages. Meanwhile, over 40% of hiring managers in tech now prioritize skills over academic credentials.
Coding bootcamps like Flatiron School, General Assembly, or Skillcrush by PowerToFly report strong job placement rates, often above 80%. If you’re switching careers, a combination of a reputable bootcamp, a strong portfolio, and relevant certifications (like CompTIA, AWS, or Google’s data analytics certificate) can open doors.
Where to find tech jobs in New York
Knowing where to look is half the process. Here are some of the best places to find NYC tech roles:
- PowerToFly — Browse open tech roles in New York on PowerToFly’s job board, with listings across engineering, data, product, design, and more.
- Built In NYC — A go-to platform for startup and tech company job listings in New York, with company profiles and salary data.
- Tech:NYC jobs board — Focused specifically on in-person tech jobs posted by NYC member companies. It tracked over 3,600 unique postings as of late 2025.
- LinkedIn — Still one of the most effective platforms for tech job searching and networking, especially when you optimize your profile with the right keywords and skills.
- AngelList (Wellfound) — Ideal for startup-focused roles, with transparent salary ranges and equity information.
- NYC tech meetups and events — Don’t overlook in-person channels. Many roles are shared at community events before they hit job boards.
When it comes to where companies are actually located, the tech scene has spread well beyond the original Silicon Alley corridor in the Flatiron District. Today you’ll find tech offices in Chelsea (home to Google’s NYC headquarters), SoHo, Hudson Yards, the Financial District, and across Brooklyn — especially in neighborhoods like Dumbo and Williamsburg. Brooklyn’s startup growth has surged 356% since 2008, so don’t limit your search to Manhattan.
FAQs
What’s the average salary for tech jobs in New York?
The average base salary for all NYC tech workers is $162,038, according to Motion Recruitment’s 2026 salary guide. Specialized roles pay significantly more — AI architects can earn over $230,000, and senior software engineers can reach $198,000. Entry-level software engineering roles typically start around $90,000–$130,000.
Is it hard to get a tech job in NYC without a degree?
It’s increasingly accessible. Nearly half of NYC tech roles don’t require a bachelor’s degree, and many employers now focus on skills, certifications, and portfolio work over formal education. Coding bootcamps in the city report job placement rates above 80%, and certifications in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data analytics carry real weight with hiring managers.
What are the best neighborhoods for tech companies in New York?
Tech companies are spread across the city. The Flatiron District and Chelsea are longstanding tech hubs, with Google, Samsung, and Verizon maintaining large offices. SoHo is popular with creative and consumer tech companies. Hudson Yards is attracting newer arrivals. And Brooklyn — particularly Dumbo and Williamsburg — has become a thriving corridor for startups and growth-stage companies.
Are remote tech jobs available from NYC-based companies?
Yes, though the balance has shifted. About 20% of NYC tech roles are fully remote, 30% are hybrid, and 50% are in-office. Many companies are still willing to negotiate flexibility, especially for specialized roles in AI, cybersecurity, and data engineering where talent is scarce. It’s worth asking during the interview process.
Ready to find your next tech role in New York? Browse open tech jobs in New York on PowerToFly.
