Top 10 Highest-Paying Licensed Careers in New York (2026)
March 3, 2026 · HowToGetLicensed Team
New York offers some of the highest salaries in the country for licensed professionals, though licensing costs tend to be above the national average. We compared all 49 licensed professions available in New York to find the highest-paying career paths. Here are the top 10 by national median salary, with New York-specific costs and requirements.
Top 10 at a Glance
| # | Profession | Median Salary | Education | Cost in NY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | $171,210/yr | 80 hrs | $17,000 |
| 2 | Physical Therapist | $99,710/yr | 4,500 hrs | $100,000 |
| 3 | Occupational Therapist | $96,370/yr | 3,500 hrs | $90,000 |
| 4 | Architect | $93,310/yr | 4,000 hrs | $110,000 |
| 5 | Speech Pathologist | $89,290/yr | 2,400 hrs | $82,000 |
| 6 | Audiologist | $87,740/yr | 5,000 hrs | $100,000 |
| 7 | Dental Hygienist | $87,530/yr | 2,400 hrs | $42,000 |
| 8 | Nursing | $86,070/yr | 1,500 hrs | $35,000 |
| 9 | Cpa | $79,880/yr | 150 hrs | $3,000 |
| 10 | Respiratory Therapist | $77,960/yr | 2,200 hrs | $30,000 |
Detailed Breakdown
1. Pilot
Get your pilot license in New York with 80 hours of education and approximately $17,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
2. Physical Therapist
Get your physical therapist license in New York with 4,500 hours of education and approximately $100,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
3. Occupational Therapist
Get your occupational therapist license in New York with 3,500 hours of education and approximately $90,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
4. Architect
Get your architect license in New York with 4,000 hours of education and approximately $110,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
5. Speech Pathologist
Get your speech pathologist license in New York with 2,400 hours of education and approximately $82,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
6. Audiologist
Get your audiologist license in New York with 5,000 hours of education and approximately $100,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
7. Dental Hygienist
Get your dental hygienist license in New York with 2,400 hours of education and approximately $42,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
8. Nursing
Get your nursing license in New York with 1,500 hours of education and approximately $35,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
9. Cpa
Get your cpa license in New York with 150 hours of education and approximately $3,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
10. Respiratory Therapist
Get your respiratory therapist license in New York with 2,200 hours of education and approximately $30,000 in total costs. Complete New York guide →
Quick-Start Licenses in New York
If you want to start earning fast, these New York licenses require minimal education and under $1,000 to get started:
| Profession | Median Salary | Education | Cost in NY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance Adjuster | $75,020/yr | 20 hrs | $750 |
| Contractor | $74,720/yr | None | $300 |
| Electrician | $61,590/yr | None | $350 |
| Plumber | $61,550/yr | None | $300 |
| Insurance Agent | $59,080/yr | 40 hrs | $525 |
Related Guides
- All New York professional licenses — browse all 49 professions
- Highest Paying Licensed Professions — national salary rankings
- Cheapest States for Licensing — compare costs across all 50 states
- Licenses That Don't Require a Degree
- How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?