The New York workplace

Jobs, pay and unemployment in the five boroughs, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the NYC Economic Development Corporation.

Updated October 2026 · Every figure sourced below
4,653,354
Average employment
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, QCEW, 2025 · data
4.8%
New York City unemployment rate (percent)
Source: NYC Economic Development Corporation, Economic Snapshot (NYS Department of Labor and BLS data), August 2026 · data
291,258
Business establishments covered by unemployment insurance
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, QCEW, 2025 · data
62.1%
New York City labor force participation rate (percent)
Source: NYC Economic Development Corporation, Economic Snapshot (NYS Department of Labor and BLS data), August 2026 · data

Manhattan average employment

jobs
2,100,000 2,200,000 2,300,000 2,400,000 2,500,000 2,600,000 201520172019202120232025 2,487,650 2,100,000 2,200,000 2,300,000 2,400,000 2,500,000 2,600,000 20152018202120242025 2,487,650
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, QCEW · data · Chart: The Manhattan Business Review

Largest private-sector industries by jobs, five boroughs, 2024

#IndustryJobs
1Health care and social assistance984,479
2Professional and technical services436,954
3Accommodation and food services354,110
4Finance and insurance352,514
5Retail trade294,873
6Administrative and waste services240,787
7Information216,314
8Educational services197,261
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, QCEW · data