School Bus Monitor Salary in Buffalo, NY
School Bus Monitors in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median $34,460 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,605 take-home, or $2,384 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median school bus monitor salary in Buffalo, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,955
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,137
- Medicare (1.45%)$500
- New York income tax$1,264
- Take-home pay$28,605
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
School Bus Monitor 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 | $32,700 | $15.72 | $27,286 | $2,274 |
| Median (50th) | $34,460 | $16.57 | $28,605 | $2,384 |
| 75th percentile | $36,120 | $17.37 | $29,849 | $2,487 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,830 | $18.67 | $31,880 | $2,657 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,460 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 school bus monitor's $28,605 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,845 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 4.8× the national concentration of school bus monitor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for school bus monitors, adjusted for cost of living
Buffalo, NY ranks #8 of 27 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $41,720 | $34,365 | $31,561 |
| 2 | Syracuse, NY | $35,950 | $29,722 | $31,043 |
| 3 | St. Louis, MO | $34,880 | $29,504 | $31,028 |
| 4 | Pittsburgh, PA | $34,970 | $29,205 | $30,849 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $38,670 | $32,001 | $30,529 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $38,590 | $31,718 | $30,356 |
| 7 | Detroit, MI | $36,240 | $30,009 | $29,920 |
| 8 | Buffalo, NY | $34,460 | $28,605 | $29,845 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 27 metros →
School Bus Monitor salaries elsewhere in New York
- Syracuse, NY — $35,950
- Rochester, NY — $34,710
- Albany, NY — $34,780
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $37,130
- New York, NY — $37,340
Frequently asked questions
How much does a school bus monitor make in Buffalo, NY?
The median school bus monitor salary in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $34,460 a year, or about $16.57 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $32,700 and $36,120.
What is a school bus monitor’s take-home pay in Buffalo, NY?
On the median $34,460 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $28,605 a year ($2,384 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,264 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a school bus monitor?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $35,100. Local prices are 4.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,845 would in a typical U.S. city. Buffalo, NY ranks #8 of 27 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a school bus monitor 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) — 48% of a median school bus monitor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Buffalo, NY
- First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $103,330
- Detective and Criminal Investigator — $95,150
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $80,950
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $76,170
- Firefighter — $74,470
- Security Guard — $38,420
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $35,010