Updated May 2026 · BLS OEWS 2025 reference period
64 Highest Paying Jobs in Albany, NY (2026)
The highest-paying job in Albany, NY, New York is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $253,580 as of 2026, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Across all 64 tracked occupations the average median is $107,838, with 29 occupations paying a six-figure ($100K+) median. Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 100.7 (national average = 100), so a $107,838 nominal salary equals $107,088 in average-cost-metro buying power.
The 64 occupations below are ranked by median wage in Albany, NY, NY, from BLS OEWS data. Albany, NY's cost-of-living index runs 100.7 (national baseline = 100), which shapes the headline-wage interpretation. Top-paying occupations in any U.S. metro typically cluster around physicians, dentists, executives, tech specialists, and licensed professionals. The specific top of the list varies with local industry concentration: tech-heavy metros boost software-engineering ranks, finance-heavy metros boost banking ranks.
Each role on the ranking links to the per-role-and-city page with full percentile distribution (p10 to p90), employment count, and cost-adjusted wage. For workers comparing offers within Albany, NY, the percentile data is the most decision-relevant.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Jobs in Albany, NY
Ranked by median (50th percentile) salary. The COL-Adjusted column rebases each nominal salary to Albany, NY's cost-of-living index of 100.7 so you can compare buying power against an average-cost U.S. metro.
Median $253,580 · 10th–90th $75,710–$431,620 · 90 jobs in metro
Obstetrician/Gynecologists in Albany, NY earn $253,580 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $431,620.
Median $236,090 · 10th–90th $75,530–$418,550 · 220 jobs in metro
Family Medicine Physicians in Albany, NY earn $236,090 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $418,550.
Median $193,780 · 10th–90th $127,060–$422,040 · 320 jobs in metro
Dentists in Albany, NY earn $193,780 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $422,040.
Median $181,990 · 10th–90th $122,250–$280,710 · 200 jobs in metro
Software Quality Assurance Analysts in Albany, NY earn $181,990 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $280,710.
Median $164,020 · 10th–90th $65,960–$193,610 · 130 jobs in metro
Optometrists in Albany, NY earn $164,020 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $193,610.
Median $163,510 · 10th–90th $81,380–$307,590 · 940 jobs in metro
Sales Managers in Albany, NY earn $163,510 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $307,590.
Median $158,250 · 10th–90th $118,780–$251,710 · 2,180 jobs in metro
Computer and Information Systems Managers in Albany, NY earn $158,250 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $251,710.
Median $153,580 · 10th–90th $80,590–$266,610 · 1,050 jobs in metro
Marketing Managers in Albany, NY earn $153,580 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $266,610.
Median $150,590 · 10th–90th $89,630–$278,480 · 2,680 jobs in metro
Financial Managers in Albany, NY earn $150,590 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $278,480.
Median $137,850 · 10th–90th $116,990–$161,720 · 770 jobs in metro
Physician Assistants in Albany, NY earn $137,850 median, with top earners (90th percentile) over $161,720.
Full Ranking (64 Occupations)
| Rank | Role | Category | Median | 10th–90th | COL-Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obstetrician/Gynecologist | Healthcare | $253,580 | $75,710–$431,620 | $251,817 | 90 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physician | Healthcare | $236,090 | $75,530–$418,550 | $234,449 | 220 |
| 3 | Dentist | Healthcare | $193,780 | $127,060–$422,040 | $192,433 | 320 |
| 4 | Software Quality Assurance Analyst | Technology | $181,990 | $122,250–$280,710 | $180,725 | 200 |
| 5 | Optometrist | Healthcare | $164,020 | $65,960–$193,610 | $162,880 | 130 |
| 6 | Sales Manager | Management | $163,510 | $81,380–$307,590 | $162,373 | 940 |
| 7 | Computer and Information Systems Manager | Technology | $158,250 | $118,780–$251,710 | $157,150 | 2,180 |
| 8 | Marketing Manager | Management | $153,580 | $80,590–$266,610 | $152,512 | 1,050 |
| 9 | Financial Manager | Finance | $150,590 | $89,630–$278,480 | $149,543 | 2,680 |
| 10 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | $137,850 | $116,990–$161,720 | $136,892 | 770 |
| 11 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | $136,720 | $97,340–$164,330 | $135,770 | 1,050 |
| 12 | Nurse Practitioner | Healthcare | $134,590 | $108,680–$163,900 | $133,654 | 910 |
| 13 | Veterinarian | Healthcare | $131,680 | $97,550–$233,310 | $130,765 | 280 |
| 14 | Lawyer | Legal | $131,310 | $82,090–$263,130 | $130,397 | 3,180 |
| 15 | Engineers (Other) | Engineering | $130,810 | $81,590–$175,780 | $129,901 | 580 |
| 16 | Software Developer | Technology | $127,910 | $80,800–$178,120 | $127,021 | 3,280 |
| 17 | Personal Financial Advisor | Finance | $124,610 | $57,330–$360,640 | $123,744 | 680 |
| 18 | Human Resources Manager | Management | $124,540 | $80,270–$213,570 | $123,674 | 920 |
| 19 | Medical and Health Services Manager | Healthcare | $121,470 | $77,210–$212,020 | $120,626 | 1,880 |
| 20 | Computer Network Architect | Technology | $121,000 | $77,840–$168,370 | $120,159 | 430 |
| 21 | General and Operations Manager | Management | $111,130 | $60,220–$235,180 | $110,357 | 8,890 |
| 22 | Mechanical Engineer | Engineering | $108,310 | $76,270–$165,360 | $107,557 | 930 |
| 23 | Pediatrician | Healthcare | $107,700 | $75,490–$272,090 | $106,951 | 110 |
| 24 | Electrical Engineer | Engineering | $105,910 | $70,890–$170,020 | $105,174 | 720 |
| 25 | Industrial Engineer | Engineering | $104,170 | $82,410–$160,710 | $103,446 | 1,570 |
| 26 | Information Security Analyst | Technology | $103,890 | $67,220–$165,750 | $103,168 | 470 |
| 27 | Civil Engineer | Engineering | $102,470 | $75,990–$149,520 | $101,758 | 1,470 |
| 28 | Database Architect | Technology | $102,160 | $58,940–$130,880 | $101,450 | 400 |
| 29 | Software Quality Assurance Tester | Technology | $100,690 | $64,140–$136,490 | $99,990 | 430 |
| 30 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | $99,970 | $77,150–$130,970 | $99,275 | 10,230 |
| 31 | Web Developer | Technology | $99,210 | $51,990–$164,290 | $98,520 | 310 |
| 32 | Data Scientist | Technology | $98,940 | $64,450–$160,460 | $98,252 | 830 |
| 33 | Architect | Engineering | $98,350 | $66,450–$163,100 | $97,666 | 340 |
| 34 | Dental Hygienist | Healthcare | $98,030 | $79,920–$103,990 | $97,349 | 730 |
| 35 | Audiologist | Healthcare | $97,100 | $80,770–$119,510 | $96,425 | 50 |
| 36 | Computer Occupations (Other) | Technology | $95,920 | $56,350–$160,100 | $95,253 | 620 |
| 37 | Network Architect | Technology | $95,140 | $65,060–$127,420 | $94,479 | 1,060 |
| 38 | Physical Therapist | Healthcare | $94,020 | $71,130–$108,510 | $93,366 | 790 |
| 39 | Financial Analyst | Finance | $91,270 | $58,530–$160,330 | $90,636 | 1,190 |
| 40 | Computer Systems Analyst | Technology | $86,890 | $64,990–$117,860 | $86,286 | 3,290 |
| 41 | Occupational Therapist | Healthcare | $85,990 | $61,880–$107,930 | $85,392 | 550 |
| 42 | Web Designer | Technology | $85,070 | $32,240–$120,470 | $84,479 | 140 |
| 43 | Business Professor (Postsecondary) | Education | $84,980 | $40,470–$135,030 | $84,389 | 430 |
| 44 | Accountant | Finance | $84,660 | $59,530–$133,670 | $84,071 | 4,680 |
| 45 | Computer Programmer | Technology | $84,140 | $64,990–$113,100 | $83,555 | 1,430 |
| 46 | Operations Research Analyst | Technology | $84,140 | $54,210–$126,420 | $83,555 | 430 |
| 47 | Management Analyst | Management | $83,690 | $60,010–$129,370 | $83,108 | 3,560 |
| 48 | Speech-Language Pathologist | Healthcare | $82,160 | $62,610–$121,050 | $81,589 | 690 |
| 49 | Financial Examiner | Finance | $80,640 | $52,270–$128,100 | $80,079 | 320 |
| 50 | Secondary School Teacher | Education | $80,620 | $57,560–$104,120 | $80,060 | 3,500 |
| 51 | Clinical Laboratory Technologist | Healthcare | $80,000 | $40,920–$104,060 | $79,444 | 830 |
| 52 | Loan Officer | Finance | $79,710 | $47,860–$167,120 | $79,156 | 560 |
| 53 | Elementary School Teacher | Education | $79,240 | $51,510–$104,390 | $78,689 | 3,550 |
| 54 | Writer/Author | Creative | $78,050 | $48,010–$131,810 | $77,507 | 90 |
| 55 | Plumber | Trades | $77,460 | $47,050–$116,550 | $76,922 | 1,470 |
| 56 | Market Research Analyst | Management | $76,140 | $43,580–$135,990 | $75,611 | 2,160 |
| 57 | Electrician | Trades | $74,890 | $46,130–$106,520 | $74,369 | 1,820 |
| 58 | Computer Network Support Specialist | Technology | $73,160 | $51,270–$105,390 | $72,651 | 430 |
| 59 | Public Relations Specialist | Creative | $68,240 | $44,050–$115,680 | $67,766 | 1,580 |
| 60 | Graphic Designer | Creative | $63,200 | $44,340–$100,460 | $62,761 | 450 |
| 61 | Carpenter | Trades | $60,720 | $48,260–$91,470 | $60,298 | 2,000 |
| 62 | Paralegal | Legal | $60,680 | $47,250–$81,320 | $60,258 | 1,340 |
| 63 | Welder | Trades | $59,390 | $45,730–$77,580 | $58,977 | 550 |
| 64 | Automotive Technician | Trades | $55,500 | $37,400–$76,570 | $55,114 | 2,140 |
Why These Roles Pay the Most in Albany, NY
Albany, NY's pay distribution reflects its mix of regional employers and industries, plus the local cost of living that affects nominal salary levels in the BLS data.
An average median salary above $90K places this metro in the top tier of U.S. cities for nominal pay. Most of that premium accrues to the upper percentiles of skilled and managerial occupations; entry-level and service-sector pay is closer to national norms.
Albany, NY's cost-of-living index of 100.7 is close to the U.S. average. Nominal salaries here translate roughly one-for-one into purchasing power; the COL-Adjusted column will be very close to the median column for every row.
How to Use This Ranking
For salary negotiation, the median is a starting anchor — not the ceiling. A Obstetrician/Gynecologist with five-plus years of experience in Albany, NY should be benchmarking against the 75th percentile ($342,600) or 90th percentile ($431,620), not the $253,580 median. Use the salary percentile calculator to place any specific salary into the BLS distribution for any role-and-city pair.
For cross-city comparisons, ignore the nominal Median column and look at COL-Adjusted. A $254K Obstetrician/Gynecologist salary in Albany, NY (COL 100.7) translates to $252K of buying power in an average-cost metro — that is the apples-to-apples figure when weighing a relocation. Read the methodology behind these adjustments in our methodology page.
For job hunting, focus on the top-10 ranking above and on the role-by-role detail pages — each links through to a Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Albany, NY page with full percentile breakdowns, year-over-year change, and prevailing-wage references for H-1B / PERM applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
The highest paying job in Albany, NY is Obstetrician/Gynecologist with a median salary of $253,580 and a 90th-percentile reading of $431,620. The role employs roughly 90 workers in this metro according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 OEWS data.
29 of the 64 BLS-tracked occupations in Albany, NY have a median salary of $100,000 or higher. That is well above what most U.S. metros offer. See the full list ranked by median salary above.
Across 64 BLS-tracked occupations, the average median salary in Albany, NY is $107,838. The cost-of-living index is 100.7, so adjusted to a national-average baseline, the average is $107,088 in equivalent purchasing power.
Albany, NY has a cost-of-living index of 100.7, near the national average. Nominal pay translates roughly to face value, making it a strong choice for many careers — particularly the Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Family Medicine Physician, Dentist occupations at the top of the ranking.
Every wage figure on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program at bls.gov/oes — public domain federal survey data covering about 1.2 million U.S. employers across all industries. The OEWS publishes 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages by Metropolitan Statistical Area and Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code. The same data is used by the Department of Labor for prevailing wage determinations.
Related Pages
Rankings based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025 reference period. COL adjustments use a composite cost-of-living index calibrated to U.S. average = 100.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2026.