Service-Providing Industry Sectors
Dominate NYS's 21st Century Economy
ALBANY—Since 2000, health care and social assistance and other service-providing industry sectors, including accommodation and food services and educational services, have increased their respective share of total employment in New York State (including New York City). In contrast, however, the number of jobs in goods-producing sectors continued a long-term decline, according to a report released on March 16 by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.
“Service-providing industry sectors have powered job growth across New York state and have helped shape the 21st century economic landscape,” said Mr. DiNapoli. “The strengthening of these service industries has been widespread, although there are still notable regional differences in the mixture of sectors. This report provides industry-level job and wage data and workforce trends to help policymakers as they continue their work to ensure quality employment opportunities for all New Yorkers.”
Over 85% of the almost 9.7 million jobs statewide, including those New York City, were in service-providing industry sectors in 2024. Jobs in the health care and social assistance sectors accounting for over 20% of total employment, followed by educational services (9.9%) and retail trade (8.6%).
The sectors that experienced statewide job growth greater than 30% between 2000 and 2024 include: health care and social assistance (63.3%); accommodation and food services (45.8%); professional, scientific and technical services (31.1%); and transportation and warehousing (30.1%).
The average annual pay across all jobs statewide (including New York City) was $95,152, nearly 26% higher than the average annual pay ($75,590) for all jobs in the United States. The finance and insurance sector was responsible for almost half of the difference in average annual pay for all jobs between the state and the nation. Outside of New York City, average annual pay varied significantly by region, from a low of $57,772 in the Mohawk Valley to a high of $78,013 on Long Island.
Average annual pay is significantly higher in three regions—Long Island, the Mid-Hudson and the Capital District—compared to other regions, excluding New York City.
The New York State Department of Labor projects that manufacturing employment statewide will decrease by 12% from 2022 to 2032, while health care and social assistance is projected to see the strongest growth of any sector (27.8%), with an estimated increase of over half a million jobs statewide. Accommodation and food services and educational services are expected to see job growth of 21% and 18.6%, respectively.
Published: March 17, 2026