๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 113 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Yonkers, NY

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 39 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$55,579
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$49,403
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$132,032
1BR Rent
$1,856
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Yonkers in 2026: you can make a decent living without being a Wall Street titan. Itโ€™s a city of nearly 208,000 people that often gets overlooked, but its median household income of $81,097 is actually a quiet powerhouse for the suburbs.

Letโ€™s talk real dollars. With a cost of living index at 112.5, youโ€™re paying about 12.5% more than the U.S. average for everything from groceries to utilities. That $1,856 monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment stings, for sure. But hereโ€™s the honest surprise: the COL-adjusted average salary here is $49,403. It feels like a squeeze, but for many, itโ€™s a manageable one, especially if youโ€™re commuting into the city for a higher paycheck.

Financially, this city runs on a few key engines. The healthcare sector is massive, anchored by massive institutions like the St. Josephโ€™s Medical Center and the sprawling Montefiore Mount Vernon Hospital network. You also have a solid base in education and public administration. And while you wonโ€™t find a tech hub, the software developers who do live and work here pull in a strong $132,000, which adjusts to a very comfortable $117,362 in local purchasing power.

So, whatโ€™s the catch? Wages arenโ€™t exactly racing ahead of inflation. The unemployment rate is a healthy 4.3%, but that median income number hides a gapโ€”only 35% of residents hold a bachelorโ€™s degree or higher. That means the city works beautifully for skilled tradespeople, like electricians earning a solid $63,858, and for professionals who can leverage proximity to NYC. Itโ€™s less forgiving for those without specialized skills or a foot in the door of those top-paying fields.

The data below breaks down whoโ€™s earning what, from the top-tier salaries down to the city-wide average, giving you the full picture of what it takes to thrive here.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Yonkers

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +4% vs national

Software Developer

$132,032
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $117,362
โฑ Hourly $63.48/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +4% vs national

Accountant

$89,307
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $79,384
โฑ Hourly $42.94/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +4% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$66,057
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $58,717
โฑ Hourly $31.76/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +4% vs national

Electrician

$63,858
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $56,763
โฑ Hourly $30.70/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +4% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$63,785
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $56,698
โฑ Hourly $30.67/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 39 Occupations in Yonkers

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (113/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $132,032
2 Accountant $89,307
3 Elementary School Teacher $66,057
4 Electrician $63,858
5 Real Estate Agent $63,785
6 Heavy Truck Driver $55,080
7 Paralegal $51,874
8 Carpenter $51,874
9 Human Resources Specialist $51,874
10 Physical Therapist $51,874
11 Financial Analyst $51,874
12 Pharmacist $51,874
13 HVAC Technician $51,874
14 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $51,874
15 Insurance Agent $51,874
16 Police Officer $51,874
17 Cosmetologist $51,874
18 Personal Trainer $51,874
19 Chef/Head Cook $51,874
20 Social Worker $51,874
21 Auto Mechanic $51,874
22 Dental Assistant $51,874
23 Veterinary Technician $51,874
24 Pharmacy Technician $51,874
25 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $51,874
26 Firefighter $51,874
27 Construction Manager $51,874
28 Dental Hygienist $51,874
29 Web Developer $51,874
30 Marketing Manager $51,874
31 Medical Assistant $51,874
32 Loan Officer $51,874
33 Nail Technician $51,874
34 Welder $51,874
35 Project Manager $51,874
36 Data Analyst $51,874
37 Plumber $51,874
38 Graphic Designer $51,874
39 Security Guard $37,495

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Yonkers

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,856/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$2,320/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$630,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
4.3%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$81,097
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
35%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
55/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
113
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Yonkers?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Yonkers. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Yonkers Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Yonkers, NY?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Yonkers is $55,579. This is below the city's median household income of $81,097. Insight: The gap suggests many households rely on multiple incomes or higher earners to reach the median.

What jobs pay the most in Yonkers?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Yonkers is Software Developer at $132,032. This is more than double the city's average salary of $55,579. Insight: Tech roles command a premium, reflecting regional demand for specialized skills.

Is Yonkers affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
A Software Developer earning $132,032 in Yonkers has a monthly gross income of $11,003. With a 1BR rent of $1,856, housing costs are about 17% of gross pay, well below the 30% affordability threshold. Insight: The high salary relative to rent makes Yonkers very affordable for this role.

How does Yonkers's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Yonkers has a Cost of Living Index of 112.5, meaning it is 12.5% more expensive than the national average. On a $55,579 average salary, your real purchasing power is reduced to about $49,404 after adjusting for the COL. Insight: Your effective income is about 11% lower than the nominal salary suggests.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Yonkers?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably in Yonkers, a common benchmark is spending no more than 30% of gross income on housing. For a 1BR rent of $1,856, this requires a monthly salary of $6,187, or an annual salary of $74,244. Insight: This target is 33% higher than the city's average salary, indicating a gap for many workers.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Yonkers Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Yonkers is a solid middle-ground, not a jackpot. With a cost-of-living index of 112.5 and average rent at $1,856, the $55,579 average salary gets stretched thin. Tech workers win big hereโ€”software developers earn $132,032, and even after adjusting for costs, they clear $117,362. Healthcare and trades can do okay, but youโ€™ll feel the squeeze unless youโ€™re in a senior role or have a dual income. If youโ€™re not in tech, youโ€™re playing catch-up.

My advice? Donโ€™t move here just for the job unless the salary is north of $80k or youโ€™ve got a remote gig. Yonkers is livable, but it wonโ€™t make you rich.

Explore Yonkers Further