Asking New Yorkers What They Do for a Living

New York City has the highest population of millionaires in the United States, so I decided to ask strangers what they do for a living, how much money they make, and advice on how to get into their career!

We’re standing in New York City, the most expensive city in the world, and today we’re in front of the most expensive home in the country, listed for a staggering $250 million. Our plan for the day is to go around Manhattan and interview people about how they afford to live here and what they do for a living.

One of the first individuals we meet makes balloon animals and even hosts a reality show for balloon artists. He says that, depending on how much effort one puts in, it’s possible to earn between $50K and $100K, with some people making even more.

Next, we meet someone in marketing who earns around $300K. Another interviewee is a software producer and video editor who works on industrial video projects and earns about $100K annually. She shares stories about working with Captain Morgan during global shoots.

We then talk to a doctor, who explains that becoming one involves around 11 years of education and training. Doctors earn around $250K a year, but the journey is long and requires a lifelong commitment to studying and working in the medical field.

Following that, we meet a sales account manager for Delta Airlines who moved from Brazil to the U.S. He shares that the average salary in his role is around $120K, but his biggest expense is rent—around $3,000 to $3,500 for a one-bedroom apartment.

The interviews highlight that New York is filled with a range of professionals, from salespeople to doctors, software engineers, and even creative artists, all navigating the high cost of living. Despite the challenges, many of them share stories of success and the ways they’ve managed to thrive in one of the most competitive cities in the world.

As we continue exploring the stories of New Yorkers and their professions, we meet another individual, a salesman who got his start as a dishwasher before working his way up to server positions, where he earned a six-figure salary. He shares that experience in sales is more valuable than formal education and that once you know the basics of sales, opportunities naturally arise. Despite making good money, he reflects on the long hours, working weekends and holidays.

We also meet a forensic investigator who reveals that the cases he works on often make headlines. While confidentiality is a major part of the job, he notes the excitement of seeing cases he’s worked on become public. His rent for a studio apartment in New York City is around $3,000 a month, a common theme among those living in the city.

Another interviewee, a software engineer, admits that a love of computers drove him to his career. He notes that salaries in his field start at around $100K, with potential earnings reaching up to $400K for highly skilled professionals. He highlights the shift in the industry, where college degrees are no longer a necessity if you’re talented and capable.

A security guard shares his biggest expense—rent—as well, echoing others with a salary of up to $150K for management positions. He talks about the importance of “looking fly” and the hustle required to make it in a city where appearances and financial stability matter.

Real estate is another popular industry in the city. One real estate agent discusses how she worked in retail and restaurants before switching to real estate, where earnings can range from zero to over $200K, depending on the deals made. She highlights the importance of managing people’s egos, a skill she considers crucial for success.

The theme of hustling continues with a real estate attorney, who shares that starting salaries for attorneys at big firms are around $100K, but those who bring in clients can earn much more. He advises that hard work is the key to surviving and thriving in the city.

Lastly, an architect talks about his love for drawing buildings and how it led him from a small town in Canada to New York City, where starting salaries are around $40K, with potential earnings reaching six figures.

Throughout these interviews, the message is clear: New York City is a place for hustlers. Whether through passion or following the money trail, everyone finds their own way to survive and thrive in this city. While the cost of living is incredibly high, for many, the opportunities and lifestyle the city offers make it all worthwhile.

Continuing our exploration of the New Yorkers’ stories, we meet Thomas, who works in the Empire State Building for a marketing agency. He shares that he started working in restaurants from a young age and worked his way up. For those wanting to move to New York but struggling to afford it, he recommends having roommates, as it’s nearly impossible for young people to live alone in such an expensive city. Thomas, who lives with his girlfriend, emphasizes that saving up and making sacrifices is crucial, especially when starting from a lower-income background.

Another real estate professional we meet explains that her early jobs in retail and restaurants pushed her to pursue real estate, where the financial rewards are greater. She discusses how the range of her income can vary drastically—from zero to over $200K—depending on the market and her deals. Her key advice for success is learning how to manage people’s egos, which she says can take you far in the real estate industry.

One of the most striking stories comes from a seasoned real estate attorney, who says that starting salaries in big law firms can reach $100K, but the earning potential is much higher if you bring in business. With long work hours, often spanning 10 to 11 hours a day, five days a week, the legal field demands dedication. He emphasizes that while passion is important, sometimes young people need to follow the “money trail” first to finance their passions later.

Next, we talk to an architect who initially earned about $40K when he started his career but can now make six figures. He grew up in a small Canadian town, always dreaming of coming to New York City to design buildings. He says his love for drawing and creating structures naturally led him to the city.

Another fascinating story is that of Israel Yanir, an artist and fashion designer who has sold pieces for as much as $10,000. He has designed for notable celebrities such as Erykah Badu, Lil Nas X, and Trippie Redd. His advice for aspiring creatives is to network, attend pop-ups, and wear your own designs so people can approach you, letting your work speak for itself.

The stories culminate with a conversation with a veteran attorney who has been practicing for 30 years. He explains that working in a private, high-end law firm can bring in $1 million or more if you become an equity partner. He advises young people to follow their passion but acknowledges that the money trail is often necessary to build the resources that allow for passion projects later on.

Each of these stories highlights the immense diversity of professions in New York City and the broad spectrum of experiences and incomes. From artists and architects to salespeople and software engineers, the common theme is the relentless hustle it takes to live and thrive in one of the most competitive cities in the world. Whether following passion or money, everyone interviewed finds a way to navigate the high costs and carve out a place for themselves in the city that never sleeps.

Continuing our journey through the streets of New York, we encounter more professionals who reflect the city’s diversity in both careers and income levels.

We meet a young software engineer named Rudy, who credits his love for computers as the reason he entered the field. He explains that typical salaries for software engineers in the city start at around $100K, but with experience and specialized skills, salaries can reach up to $400K. Rudy also mentions that a college degree isn’t necessarily required anymore, as companies are increasingly valuing skills and experience over formal education. His biggest expense in the city is food, sharing a humorous anecdote about paying $30 for a salad.

Another individual we speak with works as a security guard at a hotel. He reveals that his manager earns around $150K, while he focuses on maintaining a stylish appearance, referring to the importance of “drip” in the city. He talks about how maintaining a certain image is part of the hustle, both in terms of personal pride and attracting opportunities. In a city like New York, he believes that financial success plays a major role in personal fulfillment and even romantic relationships.

Our next stop takes us to a marketing professional who works in the Empire State Building. Thomas shares that he started working in restaurants at the age of 12 and, over time, transitioned into marketing. He emphasizes the importance of saving and living with roommates in order to make life in New York affordable, especially for young people moving from lower-income backgrounds. He and his girlfriend, both of whom receive no financial help from their parents, have been saving for years to afford their current lifestyle.

As we continue meeting more New Yorkers, one real estate agent explains how she went from working in retail stores and restaurants to establishing a career in real estate. Her earnings vary significantly, ranging from zero to upwards of $220K depending on the market and her clients. She highlights the importance of people skills and advises aspiring real estate professionals to learn how to manage egos—this, she claims, is key to success in the industry.

Another interviewee, an architect, talks about his lifelong passion for drawing and how it led him from a small town in Canada to New York City. Starting salaries for architects, he says, are around $40K, but experienced professionals can make six figures.

Next, we meet Israel Yanir, a talented artist and designer who sells custom pieces for up to $10,000. His creations have been worn by celebrities like Erykah Badu, Lil Nas X, and Trippie Redd. He explains how being present at pop-up events and fashion shows, as well as wearing his own designs, helps him network and gain visibility. He encourages other creatives to be bold and take their work to places where they can meet like-minded individuals.

Finally, a seasoned attorney with 30 years of experience shares his thoughts on working in law in New York. He mentions that attorneys in big firms can make around $100K starting out, but partners at elite firms can earn over $1 million annually. He advises young people to follow their passion, but with the understanding that financial stability is often necessary to support those dreams. In his words, sometimes “the money trail” must be followed to gain the resources needed to pursue your true passion later on.

Through these interviews, one overarching message becomes clear: whether pursuing passion, following the money, or balancing both, New York City rewards those who hustle. Everyone here, from architects and software engineers to security guards and real estate professionals, is part of a dynamic city where making it requires creativity, hard work, and a bit of luck.