2026 New York Tech Salary Guide

The New York Tech Salary Guide by Motion Recruitment outlines 2026 salary ranges for 100+ tech roles, featuring data insights and expert analysis on the evolving tech industry, workplace, and employment trends impacting NYC workers.

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IT Salaries and Tech Market Insights for New York City in 2026

Key insights from Motion's IT Salary Guide can help New York job seekers navigate the tech job market and aid hiring managers in making informed recruitment decisions.

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Map Out Your 2026 Strategy for the New York Tech Hiring Market

with Expert Insights & Salary Data

Despite low unemployment rates, there is increased uncertainty in the New York City tech industry, as the impact of Agentic AI and other artificial intelligence advancements alters how work gets done in IT. As one of the biggest hubs of tech workers in North America, more New Yorkers than ever are trying to figure out what’s next for the tech industry.
 
Motion’s 2026 New York City Tech Salary Guide is here to help the nearly 400,000 tech workers across the city navigate the ever-changing IT job market. This year’s report covers the latest trends, including the rise in scams targeting both companies and job seekers.
 
With salary data from over 100 of the top tech roles, Motion’s 2026 guide can help the NYC tech industry set itself up for success.

$187B

dollars in economic impact

The NYC tech industry has an annual economic impact of over $187 billion.

$162K

average salary for New York City IT workers

The average base level salary for all New York City tech workers is $162,038.

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Emerging Tech in New York: Agentic AI and a Lack of Upskilling

In New York City’s tech market, IT job seekers have a unique opportunity to stand out by building advanced AI skills. While many professionals are concerned about job security as Agentic AI transforms the industry, over half have made little or no progress in developing generative AI expertise. Proactively investing in AI skill development can help you stay ahead and improve your chances of success in this competitive landscape.
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Q: What Advice Would You Give New York City Tech Job Seekers and Hiring Managers in 2026?

From Drew Sussberg, Vice President at Motion Recruitment, New York City:

“New York City job seekers and hiring managers should not be afraid of moving quickly. Too often, we’ve seen missed opportunities due to delays in the hiring process, either from a protracted interview process or a person seeking to determine if they can secure a better job offer. Being decisive in your actions will set you up for success in 2026.” 

 

What will I find in Motion's IT Salary Guide?

What tech job data and trends are covered in the guide?
  • The state of tech employment in 2026, with the impact of layoffs, economic conditions, IT job creation and the tech talent shortage.

  • The continuing impact of artificial intelligence on the job market, including a spike in data center construction, the need for upskilling in the tech industry and how AI is evolving the wearables market.

  • Tech hiring and workplace trends, including tech workers heading back to the office and IT workers boomeranging back to previous employers.

  • Advice from market experts on what you can do to succeed in 2026.
What valuable insights into IT salary data can I discover?
  • You will find starting salaries for mid and senior level ranges for over 100 specific job titles across technology areas. There are also city-specific variances included, which you can use to measure the regional salary ranges per tech job.

  • You will see IT salaries for top roles from the most in-demand technology areas: Software, Data & AI, Security, Infrastructure & DevOps, Mobile, Functional, Product & UX and Executive.

Previous Salary Guides

Tech Hiring Market
Midyear Update 2025

Tech Salary Guide
North America 2025

Tech Hiring Market
Midyear Update 2024

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Motion Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good IT Salary in New York?

Determining a good IT salary in New York involves considering the role, experience level, and market demand. Based on current data for 2026, mid-level technical support analysts in New York typically earn between approximately $76,000 and $91,000 annually. More specialized roles such as QA engineers command higher salaries, with mid-level salaries starting around $98,000 and senior levels reaching up to approximately $157,000.

The New York IT salary landscape reflects the city’s intensive demand for technical skills and leadership. The wide salary range across different IT roles signifies the expanding viability of careers in cybersecurity, software development, and project management within a competitive urban market. For example, project managers at a mid-level range earn from about $85,000 to $106,000, underscoring the importance of these professionals in maintaining project scalability and efficiency.

While entry-level positions offer lower compensation, mid to senior IT professionals in New York can expect salaries significantly above the national average, driven by the need for a seamless experience in managing digital transformation initiatives. This evolving landscape requires staying attuned to market shifts but indicates robust earning potential within the IT sector.

What IT job has the highest salary in New York?

The IT job with the highest salary in New York is typically the senior level Chief Technology Officer (CTO) role. According to 2026 data for the IT salary in New York, CTOs earn between $231,761 and $284,576 annually. This range reflects the significant impact CTOs have in driving digital transformation and overseeing large-scale technology initiatives.

Other high-paying IT roles in New York include Senior Software Architects and .Net Architects, who earn between approximately $185,000 to $230,000, as well as Cloud Architects and Infrastructure and Security Architects with salaries ranging from about $170,000 to $200,000. These roles require deep technical expertise combined with strategic vision, essential for maintaining a seamless experience across architecture and cloud infrastructure.

The breadth of these salary figures illustrates the expanding viability of advanced IT leadership and architecture positions, which directly influence organizational scalability and cybersecurity posture in a highly competitive market.
 

Have IT salaries increased in New York in 2026?

The IT salary in New York reflects an upward trend for 2026, indicating increases across several key IT roles. For example, mid-level Systems Engineers have a salary range of about $113,792 to $138,865, while senior level Engineers can earn up to $157,794.

AI Engineers demonstrate strong earning potential, with mid-level salaries between $168,235 and $216,444 and senior level salaries reaching $227,911. Similarly, Database Engineers show growth with salaries ranging from approximately $141,671 to $198,395 across mid to senior-level tiers.

Security-related roles also exhibit gains, with mid-level Information Security Engineers earning up to $168,097 and senior roles achieving nearly $184,127. Application Security Engineers maintain competitive salaries, ranging from roughly $134,996 to $196,005 depending on experience level.

These data points illustrate the expanding viability of IT professions in New York, driven by increasing demand for advanced technical skills and cybersecurity expertise. While the degree of increase varies by role and specialization, the overall landscape suggests a consistent rise in compensation to meet organizational needs for digital transformation and robust security postures.

How much do project managers make in New York City?

The IT salary for Project Managers in New York City ranges notably depending on experience level. Market data for 2026 indicates that mid-level Project Managers can expect salaries between approximately $102,000 and $128,000 annually.

Senior Project Managers earn higher compensation, with salary ranges generally spanning $110,000 to $139,000. These figures reflect the expanding viability of project management roles in the region, driven by ongoing digital transformation initiatives and the need for strong leadership to deliver complex IT projects.

While the numbers vary slightly based on specific industry sectors and company size, the overall range underscores the significant impact that skilled project managers have on organizational success in New York’s competitive technology landscape.

What is the average salary for an IT manager in New York?
The IT salary for IT Managers in New York, particularly at senior levels, reflects the expanding viability of leadership roles in managing technological infrastructure and teams. Based on market data for New York City in 2026, senior level IT Managers or Engineering Managers earn salaries ranging from approximately $173,000 to $214,000 annually.

These figures illustrate the significant impact of IT Managers in ensuring a seamless experience across projects and operations, especially in a demanding and fast-evolving business landscape. While mid-level salary data specific to IT Managers is less defined, senior level numbers highlight the critical role such professionals play in digital transformation efforts and scalability strategies within organizations in the region.

In fact, these salary benchmarks underscore the continued competitiveness of New York’s IT market, driven by innovation and complex technical requirements. Staying attuned to these compensation trends is essential for understanding the evolving landscape of IT leadership salaries.