Nursing Assistant Salary in Buffalo, NY
Nursing Assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median $39,790 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,600 take-home, or $2,717 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$2,595
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,467
- Medicare (1.45%)$577
- New York income tax$1,552
- Take-home pay$32,600
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Buffalo, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,150 | $17.86 | $30,621 | $2,552 |
| 25th percentile | $38,150 | $18.34 | $31,370 | $2,614 |
| Median (50th) | $39,790 | $19.13 | $32,600 | $2,717 |
| 75th percentile | $45,080 | $21.67 | $36,564 | $3,047 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,120 | $23.13 | $38,843 | $3,237 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,790 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 nursing assistant's $32,600 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,013 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nursing Assistant jobs are about as common in Buffalo, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Buffalo, NY ranks #240 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 240 | Buffalo, NY | $39,790 | $32,600 | $34,013 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in New York
- Binghamton, NY — $44,410
- Utica, NY — $43,560
- Syracuse, NY — $42,940
- Kingston, NY — $44,710
- Watertown, NY — $38,320
- Ithaca, NY — $45,640
- New York, NY — $49,270
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $45,730
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Buffalo, NY?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $39,790 a year, or about $19.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $38,150 and $45,080.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Buffalo, NY?
On the median $39,790 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $32,600 a year ($2,717 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,552 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,013 would in a typical U.S. city. Buffalo, NY ranks #240 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant 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) — 42% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Buffalo, NY
- Dental Assistant — $47,610
- Medical Assistant — $44,650
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,570