ocity
💰 COL Index: 94 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Buffalo, NY

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$68,595
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$72,664
model average ÷ 94.4 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$154,971
City 1BR Rent Reference
$992
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Buffalo?

$68,595 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$68,595/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,716/month
Household income context$46,458

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -2% vs national

Marketing Manager

$154,971
💡 Purchasing-power model $164,164
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $74.51/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 -2% vs national

Pharmacist

$133,744
💡 Purchasing-power model $141,678
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.30/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 -2% vs national

Software Developer

$125,122
💡 Purchasing-power model $132,544
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.15/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ -2% vs national

Construction Manager

$106,392
💡 Purchasing-power model $112,703
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.15/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ -2% vs national

Project Manager

$99,578
💡 Purchasing-power model $105,485
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $47.87/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Buffalo

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (94.4/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $154,971
2 Pharmacist $133,744
3 Software Developer $125,122
4 Construction Manager $106,392
5 Project Manager $99,578
6 Physical Therapist $98,034
7 Financial Analyst $97,346
8 Web Developer $91,191
9 Dental Hygienist $86,059
10 Accountant $84,633
11 Registered Nurse $84,624
12 Data Analyst $81,959
13 Insurance Agent $78,597
14 Loan Officer $74,919
15 Police Officer $73,651
16 Human Resources Specialist $66,513
17 Elementary School Teacher $62,600
18 Plumber $62,285
19 Paralegal $61,695
20 Electrician $60,515
21 Real Estate Agent $60,447
22 Graphic Designer $60,309
23 Social Worker $59,837
24 Chef/Head Cook $59,336
25 Firefighter $56,160
26 Carpenter $55,963
27 HVAC Technician $54,734
28 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $53,702
29 Heavy Truck Driver $52,198
30 Welder $48,756
31 Auto Mechanic $47,508
32 Personal Trainer $45,895
33 Dental Assistant $44,067
34 Veterinary Technician $42,021
35 Pharmacy Technician $39,622
36 Cosmetologist $37,725
37 Medical Assistant $37,627
38 Security Guard $35,532
39 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,159
40 Nail Technician $32,789

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Buffalo salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are approximately 0.983×. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 94.4 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Buffalo

🏠
1BR Rent
$992/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,163/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$220,000
📉
Unemployment
4.3%
💳
Median Income
$46,458
🎓
College Educated
31%
🚶
Walk Score
55/100
📊
Cost of Living
94
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Buffalo Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Buffalo Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Buffalo mean on this page?

▼
$68,595 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Buffalo workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Buffalo?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,716 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Buffalo?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Buffalo?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is approximately 0.983×; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Buffalo

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

Career Decisions

Make your salary work in Buffalo

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Career Guides →Cost of Living →Housing Market →Neighborhood Guide →

Explore Buffalo Further

🏙️ Buffalo City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage