Human Resources Specialist Salary in Buffalo, NY
Human Resources Specialists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median $74,510 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,821 take-home, or $4,818 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median human resources specialist salary in Buffalo, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,562
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,620
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,080
- New York income tax$3,427
- Take-home pay$57,821
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Human Resources Specialist pay by experience in Buffalo, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,920 | $23.52 | $39,443 | $3,287 |
| 25th percentile | $59,750 | $28.73 | $47,560 | $3,963 |
| Median (50th) | $74,510 | $35.82 | $57,821 | $4,818 |
| 75th percentile | $94,990 | $45.67 | $71,091 | $5,924 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,410 | $57.89 | $87,474 | $7,290 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,510 buys in Buffalo, NY
Prices in Buffalo, NY are 4.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median human resources specialist's $57,821 take-home pay has the buying power of $60,328 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Human Resources Specialist jobs are about as common in Buffalo, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.87).
Best-paying cities for human resources specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Buffalo, NY ranks #27 of 62 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $112,140 | $80,063 | $72,506 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $100,830 | $74,162 | $68,111 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $92,770 | $74,094 | $66,671 |
| 4 | Durham, NC | $81,100 | $63,157 | $64,728 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $103,140 | $74,686 | $64,600 |
| 6 | Kansas City, MO | $75,190 | $59,130 | $63,894 |
| 7 | San Antonio, TX | $72,930 | $60,136 | $63,491 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $75,440 | $60,610 | $63,486 |
| 27 | Buffalo, NY | $74,510 | $57,821 | $60,328 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 62 metros →
About the job: human resources specialists
Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization. May perform other activities in multiple human resources areas.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Human Resources Specialist salaries elsewhere in New York
- Rochester, NY — $76,590
- New York, NY — $89,780
- Albany, NY — $77,000
Frequently asked questions
How much does a human resources specialist make in Buffalo, NY?
The median human resources specialist salary in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $74,510 a year, or about $35.82 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,750 and $94,990.
What is a human resources specialist’s take-home pay in Buffalo, NY?
On the median $74,510 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $57,821 a year ($4,818 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,427 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a human resources specialist?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $75,940. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $60,328 would in a typical U.S. city. Buffalo, NY ranks #27 of 62 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a human resources specialist afford rent in Buffalo, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Buffalo, NY is $1,139 a month ($1,343 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median human resources specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Project Management Specialist — $101,180
- Management Analyst — $84,710
- Accountant and Auditor — $82,120
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist — $75,990