Careers by the Numbers: Jobs That Pay Off in Westchester

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Thinking about a career change? These are the top-paying jobs throughout Westchester County across a variety of experience levels.

Below is a sampling of jobs that pay near or above the average wage in the Hudson Valley. They don’t require a four-year degree for entry-level hires, and all have been rated as having a “favorable” or “very favorable” occupational outlook by the New York State Department of Labor.

All Occupations

Average Wage: $60,670
Entry-Level: $27,760
Experienced: $77,120

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

Average Wage: $74,670
Entry-Level: $52,470
Experienced: $85,770
Description: Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

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Architectural and Civil Drafters

Average Wage: $64,620
Entry-Level: $45,440
Experienced: $74,220
Description: Prepare detailed drawings of architectural and structural features of buildings or drawings and topographical relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, and public works. Use knowledge of building materials, engineering practices, and mathematics to complete drawings.

Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other

Average Wage: $67,360
Entry-Level: $39,530
Experienced: $81,280
Description: All life, physical, and social science technicians not listed separately (e.g. agricultural and food technicians, biological technicians, and chemical technicians are listed separately). For a list of all related occupations and wages, see https://statistics.labor.ny.gov/lswage2.asp.

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Average Wage: $94,140
Entry-Level: $54,510
Experienced: $113,950
Description: Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Trades Proved Resilient During Pandemic

While unemployment increased across the board during the pandemic, data from the New York Department of Labor show that some sectors had fewer losses than others, or even experienced net growth. Service occupations were particularly hard-hit, but construction, utilities, healthcare and others fared better.

Change in Employment by Sector in the Hudson Valley, December 2019-December 2020Total private sector average: −9.2%

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Industries that did worse than average

Leisure and Hospitality: −36.2%
Other Services: −17.8%
Private Service-Providing: −9.9%

Industries that did better than average

Manufacturing: −8.5%
Financial Activities: −7.1%
Education and Health Services: −4.9%
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities: −4.1%
Natural Resources, Mining, and Construction: +0.2%

Top 10 Hot Jobs

The New York Department of Labor estimates that the 10 jobs below will grow at a particularly fast rate in the Hudson Valley. All but one are in the healthcare field, but none require a four-year degree. Percentages show projected growth in employment from 2016–2026.

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics (52.2%)
Home Health Aides (51.9%)
Medical Assistants (48.6%)
Physical Therapist Aides (42.9%)
Phlebotomists (37.5%)
Medical Secretaries (37.2%)
Physical Therapist Assistants (35.1%)
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (34.8%)
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (33.3%)
Helpers — Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (33.3%)