Cost of hiring a bookkeeper in New York-Newark, NY-NJ
Bookkeepers earn more in New York-Newark than anywhere else in New York. Expect a median of $60,640 a year[1], 4.3% above the New York statewide median of $58,160 and 19.7% above the US median of $50,670. Only 11 of 521 US areas pay more for this job. It is the largest market for the job in New York: about 77,010 people.
BLS occupation 43-3031, area New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in New York-Newark against New York and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ | $42,650 | $60,640 | $85,260 | |
| New York | $39,880 | $58,160 | $81,990 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
Bookkeepers at the 90th percentile earn $85,260, 2.0 times the 10th percentile; the US ratio is 2.1. The middle half of bookkeepers in New York-Newark earns $49,820–$73,770.
What to budget for a bookkeeper here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,650 | $3,554 | $20.50 | $60,929 |
| 25th percentile | $49,820 | $4,152 | $23.95 | $71,171 |
| Median | $60,640 | $5,053 | $29.15 | $86,629 |
| 75th percentile | $73,770 | $6,148 | $35.47 | $105,386 |
| 90th percentile | $85,260 | $7,105 | $40.99 | $121,800 |
The step from the 25th percentile to the median is $10,820 a year; from the median to the 75th it is $13,130, or about $18,757 once benefits are added. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in New York-Newark
At the $60,640 median, a local hire costs about $86,629 a year: benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], about $25,989 here. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in New York-Newark
Of the 17 roles we track in New York-Newark, this one ranks #10 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $126,660 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $44,690.
| Role | Median | vs bookkeeper | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +108.9% | 68,910 | |
| Accountant | +74.2% | 111,930 | |
| Marketing Specialist | +65.8% | 79,290 | |
| Sales Development Representative | +54.6% | 91,680 | |
| Recruiter | +48.1% | 52,370 | |
| Executive Assistant | +38.3% | 76,950 | |
| Office Manager | +33.2% | 95,180 | |
| Paralegal | +24.2% | 33,850 | |
| Payroll Specialist | +4.7% | 7,770 | |
| Bookkeeper | this role | 77,010 | |
| HR Assistant | -6.2% | 7,640 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -15.2% | 122,680 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -18.2% | 125,570 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -18.8% | 52,640 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -21.1% | 4,120 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -25.2% | 10,110 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -26.3% | 74,190 |
Other areas in New York
Across the 16 areas of New York with data for this job, the median runs from $47,100 in Watertown-Fort Drum to $60,640 in New York-Newark, a gap of $13,540 a year.
| Area | Median | vs New York-Newark | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark, NY-NJ | this area | 77,010 | |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie, NY | -7.4% | 2,530 | |
| Kingston, NY | -10.1% | 670 | |
| Albany-Schenectady, NY | -11.7% | 4,170 | |
| Syracuse, NY | -14.2% | 2,980 | |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | -14.9% | 5,890 | |
| Ithaca, NY | -14.9% | 490 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a bookkeeper in New York-Newark, NY-NJ?
About $86,629 a year at the median, or $7,219 a month: $60,640 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for bookkeepers in New York-Newark?
The median was $60,640 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $42,650, the 90th $85,260, and the middle half earned $49,820 to $73,770.
Is New York-Newark the most expensive area in New York for bookkeepers?
Yes. Its median of $60,640 is the highest of 16 areas in New York. Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie comes next at $56,130.
How many bookkeepers work in New York-Newark?
BLS counts about 77,010 in the May 2025 survey.
Does a bookkeeper cost more than an HR assistant in New York-Newark?
Yes: $3,790 a year more at the median. The medians are $60,640 and $56,850.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.