How much does a motor vehicle operator make in New York?
$45,850a year
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area. That is $22.04 an hour or $3,821 a month.
- Hourly
- $22.04
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among cities
- 26 of 168
- Jobs in the area
- 3,370
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,190Median: $45,850Highest 10%: $83,820
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,190 | $17.40 | |
| 25th | $38,090 | $18.31 | |
| Median | $45,850 | $22.04 | |
| 75th | $58,370 | $28.06 | |
| 90th | $83,820 | $40.30 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators.
| Watertown, NY | $52,520 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $39,610 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,290 |
| Rochester, NY | $35,080 |
| Buffalo, NY | $34,210 |
| Albany, NY | $32,940 |
| Binghamton, NY | $32,240 |
Related jobs in New York
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $335,300 |
| Commercial Pilot | $225,900 |
| Flight Attendant | $127,700 |
| Ship Engineer | $122,800 |
| Railroad Brake | $111,100 |
| Captain | $106,200 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $100,600 |
| Transportation Inspector | $93,420 |
| Subway and Streetcar Operator | $90,140 |
| Traffic Technician | $81,910 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a motor vehicle operator make an hour in New York?
The median hourly pay in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is $22.04 ($45,850 a year).
Do motor vehicle operators make more in New York than the national average?
Yes: $45,850 against $37,180 nationally, 23% more.
How does New York compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $38,950, so New York pays 18% more.
Where does New York rank for motor vehicle operator pay?
26 of 168 metro areas with data.
How much does a motor vehicle operator make starting out in New York?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,190 or less a year; the top 10% make $83,820 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.