STEM professionals in New York are earning big—averaging over $135,000 a year—according to a new study that puts the Empire State among the top three in the country for high-paying science, technology, engineering, and math careers.
The research, conducted by AI analytics firm Peec AI, analyzed salary data for 76 STEM-related occupations listed on Glassdoor. With an average annual salary of $135,380, New York trails only California and Washington for top earnings in the field. The national average sits at $102,116.
At the top of New York’s STEM pay scale are orthopedic surgeons, earning $435,663 per year, followed by anesthesiologists at $422,467. Recreational therapists represent the lower end, with average salaries around $62,039.
The high pay reflects New York’s strong medical and tech sectors, according to Peec AI CMO Malte Landwehr. “New York ranks third for STEM salaries, driven by high-paying medical roles like orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists. The state’s strong healthcare industry and growing tech sector continue to offer some of the most competitive pay in the nation,” he said.
California leads the pack with an average STEM salary of $152,761. Washington follows closely with $148,550. In both states, medical roles also dominate the top salary spots, with orthopedic surgeons and anesthesiologists often earning well over $400,000 annually.
In contrast, emergency medical technicians and clinical lab technicians consistently earn the least across all states studied—many making under $65,000 per year.
The findings underscore a growing pay gap within STEM careers and highlight the long-term earning potential for specialized medical roles.
The full list of the top 15 states for STEM salaries includes:
- California – $152,761
- Washington – $148,550
- New York – $135,380
- Maryland – $125,771
- Colorado – $124,865
- Massachusetts – $122,781
- Oregon – $118,773
- Illinois – $116,848
- Minnesota – $115,145
- New Jersey – $112,895
- Virginia – $112,619
- Arizona – $112,067
- Hawaii – $111,307
- Texas – $110,497
- Connecticut – $107,868
The study used a weighted average of salary midpoints from job listings to ensure more common roles had a greater influence on each state’s average.
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