So which companies are hiring? What kind of jobs are available? And how much are they paying?

CBS 2’s Kristine Johnson has all your answers, plus the one thing that will make you stand out in a sea of competition so you can land that dream job.

From the restaurant industry to retail, construction or even law, whatever the field if you need a new job, local companies are beginning to hire again.

“New York right now is leading the country nationally in terms of job growth,” said John Moye of the New York State Department of Labor.

Finally, some good news say job seekers.

“I’m just looking for a fresh start,” Antonio Deasilva said.

And according to the New York State Department of Labor it’s easier than ever to find one of these jobs. Its website currently lists more than 86,000 new positions up for grabs in our area.

“A whole host — from service jobs or administrative positions, construction jobs or jobs in the hotel industry, different sectors of New York City,” Moye said.

There are jobs that also vary in salary.

“The salary for this particular location is $50,000. It’s a full-time job and the category is listed as a legal administrative assistant,” Moye said.

There are also jobs that vary from minimum wage in salary to more than six figures.

We also found listings at many major companies — like a recruiting position for McGraw Hill — and a managerial post at Ernst & Young — plus countless jobs available in the fields of beauty and healthcare.

“You can access this anywhere. If you don’t have a computer at home you can go to the library,” Moye said.

You can also visit one of the Department of Labor’s unemployment locations — known as “One Stop Centers” — where you can work with one of its many career counselors.

We were there for Deasilva’s first visit after losing his job in hotel management a month ago.

“The economy is picking up I presume and I feel confident in my abilities,” Deasilva said.

Despite being out of work for about a year, one woman we spoke to was also feeling optimistic about finding a new clerical position — sooner rather than later.

“You have to stay positive,” she said.

One thing that might give both an edge over the competition is presenting a form to a perspective employer at the end of an interview.

“And say not only are you going to get a great employee, you’re also going to get a tax incentive by doing so,” Moye said.

The Labor Department says potential employers may not know that under a new law, known as the Hire Act, if they hire now they’ll receive a tax break later.

“The employer will receive a 6.2 percent payroll tax cut by hiring that person. In addition, if the employer keeps that person for a year or more they get an additional $1,000 tax credit,” Moye said.

To see the list of jobs, please click here.