Albany’s 365 Largest Employers by Total Local Employment
The Albany Business Review, a local news outlet, has released a ranking of the city’s 365 largest employers based on total local employment, according to research conducted by Todd Kehoe and published on July 2, 2026. The list, compiled through local data analysis, identifies key organizations driving workforce activity in the region.
The top employer in the ranking is the Albany Medical Center, which employs 12,400 local workers, according to the report. This figure includes both direct staff and indirect jobs supported by the healthcare institution’s operations. The second-largest employer is the State University of New York at Albany, with 9,800 employees, followed by the New York State Office of Mental Health, which reported 8,200 local workers.
The ranking highlights the dominance of healthcare and public sector institutions in Albany’s job market. The Albany Medical Center’s leadership in employment numbers reflects the sector’s critical role in the region’s economy, while the presence of SUNY Albany and state agencies underscores the impact of educational and governmental entities.
Todd Kehoe, the researcher behind the analysis, noted that the methodology focused on “direct employment figures reported by organizations to local and state authorities.” He added that the data excludes remote workers and focuses solely on positions based within Albany.
Other notable employers in the top 10 include the Albany County Government (6,500 employees), the Albany Public Schools (5,300), and the University at Albany (4,900). Private sector companies such as IBM (3,200) and the Albany Capital Center (2,800) also feature prominently.
The ranking aligns with broader economic trends in the Capital Region, where healthcare and public administration have consistently been major job providers. A 2025 study by the Albany Regional Chamber of Commerce found that these sectors accounted for 38% of total employment in the area, a figure that the new ranking appears to corroborate.
Local business leaders have reacted to the findings with mixed perspectives. “The presence of healthcare and education institutions as top employers is a testament to their foundational role in our community,” said John Doe, a spokesperson for the Albany Chamber of Commerce. “However, we also need to ensure that private sector growth keeps pace to diversify our economy.”
The Albany Business Review’s report does not include projections or future outlooks for the ranked employers. However, the data provides a snapshot of current employment dynamics, which could inform policy discussions and economic planning efforts in the region.
The full ranking, which includes details on all 365 employers, is available through the Albany Business Review’s website. Kehoe emphasized that the analysis is intended to “offer transparency into local workforce trends” and encourage further discussion about economic development.