Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse Salary in Buffalo, NY
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median $63,370 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,273 take-home, or $4,189 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in Buffalo, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,424
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,929
- Medicare (1.45%)$919
- New York income tax$2,825
- Take-home pay$50,273
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse pay by experience in Buffalo, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,830 | $24.92 | $41,624 | $3,469 |
| 25th percentile | $59,090 | $28.41 | $47,065 | $3,922 |
| Median (50th) | $63,370 | $30.47 | $50,273 | $4,189 |
| 75th percentile | $67,030 | $32.23 | $52,963 | $4,414 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,450 | $36.75 | $59,081 | $4,923 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,370 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 licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse's $50,273 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,453 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Buffalo, NY has 1.4× the national concentration of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Buffalo, NY ranks #42 of 53 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $95,320 | $70,013 | $63,405 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $85,690 | $69,113 | $62,189 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $75,920 | $62,240 | $62,106 |
| 4 | Providence, RI | $78,990 | $62,054 | $60,973 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $94,310 | $69,410 | $60,036 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $78,080 | $62,016 | $60,026 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $82,190 | $62,761 | $57,969 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $78,070 | $60,033 | $57,949 |
| 42 | Buffalo, NY | $63,370 | $50,273 | $52,453 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 53 metros →
About the job: licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
Care for ill, injured, or convalescing patients or persons with disabilities in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. Licensing required.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.0% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse salaries elsewhere in New York
- New York, NY — $75,910
- Rochester, NY — $62,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse make in Buffalo, NY?
The median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse salary in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $63,370 a year, or about $30.47 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,090 and $67,030.
What is a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s take-home pay in Buffalo, NY?
On the median $63,370 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $50,273 a year ($4,189 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,825 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $64,400. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,453 would in a typical U.S. city. Buffalo, NY ranks #42 of 53 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse 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) — 27% of a median licensed practical and licensed vocational nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Registered Nurse — $99,060