$25 per hour is pretty low for NYC I think. In another part of the country it would be fine. That's assuming a 40 hr / week job which helps offset some things

$25 per hour is pretty low for NYC I think. In another part of the country it would be fine. That's assuming a 40 hr / week job which helps offset some things like health insurance. If you can't find a job then you could consider contract work. You will likely need to ask more than $25 / hour no matter where in the country you live.