Childcare Worker Salary in Buffalo, NY
Childcare Workers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median $35,410 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,317 take-home, or $2,443 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Buffalo, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,069
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,195
- Medicare (1.45%)$513
- New York income tax$1,315
- Take-home pay$29,317
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Buffalo, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $26,941 | $2,245 |
| 25th percentile | $32,320 | $15.54 | $27,001 | $2,250 |
| Median (50th) | $35,410 | $17.02 | $29,317 | $2,443 |
| 75th percentile | $37,290 | $17.93 | $30,726 | $2,560 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,010 | $21.16 | $35,762 | $2,980 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,410 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 childcare worker's $29,317 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,588 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Childcare Worker jobs are about as common in Buffalo, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Buffalo, NY ranks #32 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 32 | Buffalo, NY | $35,410 | $29,317 | $30,588 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in New York
- Binghamton, NY — $35,890
- Utica, NY — $35,190
- Albany, NY — $36,170
- Rochester, NY — $35,090
- Kingston, NY — $36,360
- Syracuse, NY — $34,380
- New York, NY — $37,870
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $36,230
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Buffalo, NY?
The median childcare worker salary in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $35,410 a year, or about $17.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,320 and $37,290.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Buffalo, NY?
On the median $35,410 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $29,317 a year ($2,443 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,315 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,588 would in a typical U.S. city. Buffalo, NY ranks #32 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker 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) — 47% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,920
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $47,480
- Animal Caretaker — $34,840
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $33,730
- Recreation Worker — $33,640
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $32,950
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $32,240