Navigating the diverse and dynamic business landscape of New York State requires a keen understanding of the compensation landscape. Whether you're eyeing a career in supply chain management, entrepreneurship, leadership roles or operations and general management, understanding the salary landscape is crucial.
This article delves into various business administration roles, top pay by metro areas, factors influencing salaries, fair compensation assessment, relevant labor laws, cost of living considerations, educational prerequisites and New York-specific professional associations—in short, everything you'll need to get started researching business administration careers and salaries in New York State.
There are roughly 212,770 people employed as general and operations managers in New York State, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The median wage per hour is $61 and the forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 4.2%.
Some of the biggest employers of business administration operations managers and other leadership and supply chain managers in the state are not surprisingly focused on finance, pharmaceuticals and the cosmetic industries:
JPMorgan Chase & Co.:
New York, NY. A major player in finance, JPMorgan offers opportunities for business administration professionals in leadership roles and operations management.
IBM Corporation:
New York, NY. In the technology sector, IBM provides a platform for business administrators to thrive in roles related to operations and supply chain management.
Pfizer Inc.:
Hudson Yards, NY. As a leading pharmaceutical company, Pfizer employs business administrators in operations, management and supply chain roles.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.:
New York, NY. In the beauty and cosmetics industry, Estée Lauder is a key player, offering opportunities for business administrators in various capacities.
Business administration salary in New York
While the median national salary for business administration professionals—a category that includes careers in management, sales, marketing, international business and a number of other fields—is just over $76,850 a year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, pay may vary depending upon several factors, including where you work and live and the cost of living, how much experience you have, what certifications you have earned and your level of education.
Salaries for different business admin roles in New York
The BLS provides valuable insights into business administration salaries, offering a glimpse into the earning potential across various roles. In New York State, supply chain managers, entrepreneurs and professionals in leadership roles can anticipate competitive compensation.
Entrepreneurs:
Entrepreneurs' salaries vary significantly based on the success of their ventures. However, the median annual wage for business owners and self-employed individuals in management positions is estimated at $127,530.
Leadership roles:
Executives, including Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), enjoy substantial salaries. CEOs in New York State have a median annual wage of $209,450, while CFOs earn a median annual wage of $187,120.
Operations and general managers:
Professionals overseeing day-to-day business operations earn a median annual wage of $161,420, says the BLS.
Supply chain managers:
The BLS reports a median annual wage of $124,160 for supply chain managers in New York State.
Median business administration salary in New York
The median annual salary for general and operations managers in New York is $126,330. Here are some high, low and median salaries in different cities within the state:
General and Operations Managers
10%$58,080
25%$80,590
50%$126,330Median
75%$204,230
90%N/A
Median Hourly Wage$61
Job growth4.2%
Total Employment212,770
Metro area
Median Salary
Bottom 10%
Top 10%
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
$138,630
$64,030
N/A
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
$104,370
$54,940
N/A
Rochester, NY
$100,660
$51,070
N/A
Syracuse, NY
$97,950
$49,320
$227,470
Ithaca, NY
$96,660
$50,040
$235,580
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY
$95,920
$49,650
$231,110
Kingston, NY
$89,790
$47,770
$212,010
Elmira, NY
$89,520
$46,210
$208,920
Glens Falls, NY
$89,140
$48,940
$204,640
Utica-Rome, NY
$88,710
$48,630
$210,380
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Salary range for a business administration career in New York
The salary range for general and operations professionals in New York spanned from the lowest 10% of earners at $58,080 to the highest 75% at over $204,230 per year. This accounts for entry-level positions to senior-level roles and takes into consideration other factors such as experience, education, location within New York State and time in the position.
Pay by metro area within New York
Your earning level may depend upon where you live within a state. As a rule, cities pay better than rural areas and If your city is an industry hub, such as New York City is, pay may be more competitive and include bonuses and other perks and benefits. And, the BLS cites New York, NY-Newark, NJ-Jersey City, PA as its number five ranked area with the highest employment level of operations and general managers. The BLS also says New York is the fourth highest paying state in the country.
Metro Area
Median Annual Salary
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$166,660
Trenton, NJ
$154,790
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$143,250
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$142,730
Sioux Falls, SD
$139,070
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA
$138,630
Boulder, CO
$135,850
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT
$134,530
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
$134,040
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
$133,220
Factors that may affect business administration salaries in New York
Several factors contribute to the variations in business administration salaries in New York State. Industry, experience, education and the size of the organization play pivotal roles in determining compensation. Additionally, the demand for specific skills, such as supply chain management expertise, can significantly impact salary levels.
Experience:
More experienced professionals may command higher salaries.
Education and professional certifications:
Since business administration is generally competitive in nature, master's degrees and MBAs are usually the norm, however a bachelor's degree may qualify you for entry-level positions.
Industry and company size:
Salaries can vary significantly across industries, with finance and international business often offering higher compensation. The size of the company can also impact salary levels.
Geographic location and cost of living:
As you can see from the chart above, salaries may vary between cities in the country, with New York City holding the top spot. However you should consider the cost of living in Manhattan, as it is one of the highest in the U.S.
How can I know if I am being paid fairly in my New York business administration career?
Ensuring fair compensation requires a nuanced understanding of industry standards and market trends. Conducting salary surveys, consulting industry reports and networking with peers can provide valuable insights. Platforms like the BLS and salary comparison websites can also serve as benchmarks to assess the competitiveness of your compensation.
New York State has stringent labor laws to safeguard employees' rights, covering areas such as minimum wage, gender equal pay for equal work, overtime and workplace safety. Considering the high cost of living in the state, salary negotiations should account for housing, transportation and other living expenses.
Education in New York
Educational qualifications vary across business administration roles. While a bachelor's degree may suffice for entry-level positions, pursuing an MBA or specialized certifications can enhance career prospects. Tailoring education to align with industry demands is crucial for career advancement.
Cost of living considerations
If you're thinking about making New York home, it's important to consider the cost of living and how it impacts your pay.
RentCafe says New York State is 30% higher than the national average as far as cost of living, with housing at 78% higher and food at 7% higher than the national average.
Here are cost of living percentages for top cities in the state:
City
Percentage compared to national average
Albany, NY
5% higher
Brooklyn, NY
66% higher
Manhattan, NY
127% higher
New York City, NY
78% higher
Poughkeepsie, NY
16% higher
Queens, NY
41% higher
Syracuse, NY
3% higher
If you are looking for a city that offers a more commensurate cost of living to salary, Ithaca, Rochester, Utica and Ilion ranked at just slightly above or lower than the national average.
New York professional associations
Professional associations provide opportunities to enhance your skills or learn new ones, find resources and stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices in your respective field of business administration. Joining professional associations also fosters networking opportunities and provides access to industry insights. In New York, business administration professionals can benefit from associations such as:
New York State Society for Human Resource Management (NYSSHRM):
Membership association that serves as the bridge between SHRM and local chapters in New York State.
New York City/Long Island Chapter of the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM):
Gives members a chance to be educated, network and collaborate on a more local level.
Entrepreneurship Assistance Program:
An entrepreneur enterprise program with hubs located throughout New York State that provides instruction, technical assistance and support services to individuals who are interested in starting or recently started their own business, or entrepreneurs seeking to expand or strengthen their business.
Business Incubator Association of NYS (BIANYS):
A professional membership organization that brings together program leaders of incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces throughout New York State.
Navigating the business administration salary landscape in New York State requires a multifaceted approach. By leveraging BLS data, understanding top pay by metro areas, considering influential factors and staying abreast of labor laws, professionals can make informed decisions about their compensation. Assessing fair pay, factoring in cost of living and aligning educational pursuits with industry demands are key steps toward building a rewarding career in the vibrant business environment of New York.
Use this guide as a starting point to make informed decisions about your career path, negotiating salaries and for setting realistic expectations for your educational and professional future.
Find business administration salaries for other states
Learn what you may be able to earn in your state, how the cost of living and other factors could impact your pay, why education matters—especially in business administration leadership roles—and much more.
