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Known as the “Big Apple,” New York City (NYC) offers a variety of diverse cultures, landmarks and unique experiences. NYC’s estimated population was around 8.5 million in 2022, making it the largest city in the United States. There’s also no shortage of New York City hospitals, providing many NYC travel nursing assignments and opportunities for allied health travel jobs in NYC. New York City is home to some of the best medical universities in the country, making it attractive for those just starting or expanding their healthcare education and careers. Explore what this city has to offer and discover whether it’s an ideal location for you.
Top Hospitals in New York City, NY
New York City boasts some of the top hospitals in the nation and offers varied healthcare employment opportunities. With many leaders in medical research and technology, it’s no wonder nurses and healthcare professionals flock to this city. Many New York City hospitals are noted for providing exceptional patient care and have earned prestigious awards. Consider some of the top NYC hospitals, which provide a good starting place to begin exploring your workplace options.
NYU Langone Medical Center – Tisch Hospital
As part of New York University (NYU) Langone Healthcare, NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital is one of the city’s leading hospitals. U.S. News & World Report nationally ranked the 725-bed facility in 13 adult and 3 pediatric specialties in 2023-24. Tisch Hospital earned its Magnet designation in 2019 for the fourth consecutive time and is working on its renewal for 2023. This healthcare facility boasts 66 state-of-the-art operating rooms and is a Joint Commission Center of Excellence in perinatal and stroke care.
New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
Located in the Washington Heights neighborhood stands New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center. This 738-bed facility is closely affiliated with Cornell Medical Center, thus, sharing its 2023-24 U.S. News & World Report rankings. It’s regionally ranked as the No. 1 in New York and on the Best Hospitals Honor Roll. This hospital achieved Magnet recognition in nursing excellence in 2019 and has many ongoing nursing research studies and professional publications.
Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital is a 1,080-bed healthcare facility located in the heart of Manhattan. U.S. News & World Report ranked it nationally in 12 adult and 4 children’s specialties in 2023-24. As a leader in healthcare technology, Mount Sinai Hospital earned its spot on Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list in 2021 and has received its fourth consecutive Magnet recognition for nursing excellence. The hospital was also named a national leader in LGBT health equity based on 2019 Healthcare Equality Index scores.
Average Nurse and Allied Health Pay Rates in New York City, NY
In mid-September 2023, Vivian Health had more than 3,200 staff and travel healthcare job openings in and around New York City. Postings ranged from psychiatric nurses to computed tomography technologists. The table below demonstrates the average and maximum pay ranges for NYC nursing and allied health professional jobs on September 12, 2023.
| Discipline | Average Pay Rate | Max Pay Rate |
| Staff Registered Nurse | $45/hour | $61/hour |
| Travel Registered Nurse | $2,459/week | $2,932/week |
| Staff Allied Health Professional | $34/hour | $100/hour |
| Travel Allied Health Professional | $2,575/week | $3,302/week |
The salaries listed above reflect the average of all healthcare professionals within a specific discipline. Actual pay varies depending on location, experience, specialty, schedules, certifications and other employer factors. If you’re looking for higher pay as a registered nurse, some top-paying staff NYC RN jobs during this period were in oncology and dialysis. Some staff allied health opportunities, like patient care technicians and registered dieticians nutritionists, offered sign-on bonuses.
Cost of Living in New York City, NY
According to Sperling’s Best Places, NYC’s cost of living is 68.6% higher than the national average, making this city expensive to live in. However, many healthcare professionals still flock to the Big Apple, as it’s an area of opportunity, with future job growth predicted to be around 30% over the next 10 years.
Sperling’s lists a median home price of $677,200, with a 10-year appreciation value of nearly 72%. Due to higher home prices, many staff and travel health professionals may choose to rent instead of own. Renters make up almost 62% of NYC’s population. The cost of living outside of NYC is slightly lower, making suburbs more attractive for those willing to commute a little longer.
Top Locations to Live in New York City, NY
New York City boasts an assortment of diverse cultural experiences and activities for every lifestyle. The city boasts five large boroughs, with Manhattan being the most densely populated and considered the nation’s cultural and economic capital. Regardless of the borough you choose, NYC has numerous transportation options, making commuting to work reasonable. The city’s five boroughs include:
Manhattan
Source: P. Hughes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The island of Manhattan has three main districts: Downtown, Midtown and Uptown. The Downtown area has various unique restaurants and shops and is home to smaller neighborhoods like the Lower East Side and Greenwich Village. Midtown has several NYC landmarks and tourist attractions, like the Empire State Building and Times Square. Uptown is a more posh area and home to Central Park and the Upper East Side. Since this area has numerous attractions, housing costs are higher, with median home prices at $2,045,349 and median rent at $3,872 in mid-September per Rocket Homes.
Brooklyn
Source: Javier Rodríguez from Palma de Mallorca, España, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most populated area of New York City is Brooklyn, which offers an eclectic scene of shops and museums. Commuting to Manhattan is reasonable by taking the train or driving a car over the Brooklyn Bridge. Smaller neighborhoods in Brooklyn are Williamsburg, Coney Island and Brooklyn Heights. As of mid-September 2023, median home prices were $1,346,308 per Rocket Homes, and the median rent was $3,350, according to RentCafe.
The Bronx
Source: Gryffindor, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It’s the second-smallest borough but home to several popular attractions, including the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium. Although the Bronx has many unique charms, some areas, such as South Bronx, have higher crime rates, and you may want to steer clear of them. In mid-September 2023, median home prices were around $340,000 per Realtor.com, and median rent was $1,787 per RentCafe.
Queens
Source: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
As the largest borough by far, Queens boasts the second-largest population and is home to numerous Greek restaurants, Orthodox churches and the New York Mets. This borough also has several museums, the second-largest Chinatown in NYC and two major airports – JFK and LaGuardia. Per Rocket Homes, the median home price was $819,600, and RentCafe listed the median rent at $2,902 in mid-September 2023.
Staten Island
Source: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Staten Island has a much smaller population than the other boroughs at just under 475,000 in 2022 and offers a mix of urban and suburban life. Boasting breathtaking views and several history museums, commuting to and from Staten Island requires a short ferry ride to Manhattan. You can also drive into the more rural state of New Jersey for a quick weekend getaway. As of mid-September 2023, the median home price was $575,500, and the median rent was $1,445 per Niche.
Popular New York City Attractions
New York City offers an array of iconic attractions, museums and historical monuments, plus entertainment of all types, including Broadway shows, sporting events and concerts at Madison Square Garden. Enjoy a stroll in Central Park or ride up the elevator to the top of the Empire State Building for spectacular city views. Some of the area’s most popular attractions include the following:
Broadway
Watch many of the magnificent plays and musicals Broadway offers for both adults and children. No matter the time of year, there are plenty of shows to choose from, like the long-standing plays Wicked and Chicago. After the show, visit the Museum of Broadway or walk through the spectacular Times Square, where there’s always something going on.
Coney Island & Amusement Park
Choose a day of leisure or thrills on Coney Island by visiting its iconic amusement park. Spend the morning on the beach or sauntering on the boardwalk. In the afternoon, ride on the Wonder Wheel or try a famous Coney Island hotdog and a refreshing gelato.
Notable Museums
New York City is famous for its numerous amazing museums. Enjoy the magnificent artwork at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Museum of Modern Art. Discover the unique architecture and infamous spiral ramp at the Guggenheim Museum, or learn about the nation’s history at the American Museum of Natural History.
Radio City Music Hall
Catch a show or concert at the world-famous entertainment venue and home to the Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall. While inside, embrace the beautiful art deco masterpieces inside the concert hall or peek inside The Roxy Suite, a secret apartment located inside. The “Showplace of the Nation” also boasts a behind-the-scenes guided tour where you can learn about its history.
Statue of Liberty
Commemorating the alliance of France and the U.S. is the one-of-a-kind Statue of Liberty. Hop on a ferry tour to the island, which includes tickets to the Statue of Liberty Museum and Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration. Be sure to make reservations, especially if you want to visit the Crown or Pedestal of the Statue of Liberty for its awe-inspiring views.
9/11 Memorial & Museum
Explore the powerful September 11th remembrances at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, honoring those who lost their lives in the 2001 attacks. A visit to the outdoor 9/11 Memorial is free, but you must purchase tickets for the museum. Located around the Memorial are plenty of unique shops and restaurants for you to explore.
New York City’s Foodie Scene
NYC is known for its New York-style pizza and bagels, but the city offers countless food options and unique dining experiences. Try some original NY-style cheesecake or a pastrami and corned beef sandwich. If you’re looking for unique flavors, try some street meats, chopped cheeses or cronuts. Taste some delectable dishes, like General Tso’s Chicken or Pho, at one of the many NYC Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants or dine at one of the city’s fancy steakhouses or French restaurants. No matter your preferred palate, New York City’s sure to have it.
Getting Around New York City
Even though New York City is large, it’s actually easy to walk around town with its many sidewalks and pedestrian bridges. If you have a longer journey or commute to work, consider riding a bicycle or taking the subway. Most New Yorkers don’t own a car since taxis, buses and subways are at every corner and parking spaces are notoriously scarce and expensive.
Since it’s such a large city, NYC has several airports, making it convenient for travel nurses and other health professionals to get into and out of the city easily. Commuting to and from the airport is simple via the city’s large subway system, stopping at or near the three major airports.
Whether you’re looking for a staff or travel healthcare position, you can rely on Vivian Health every step of the way. Explore our top-rated healthcare employers in New York State for additional opportunities outside the NYC metro area.
