Nursing Assistant salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Nursing Assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $39,790 a year ($19.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,120 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 18% lower than the New York statewide median of $48,590. There are 9.8 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 25th percentile | $38,150 | $18.34 |
| Median | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| 75th percentile | $45,080 | $21.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| Average (mean) | $41,710 | $20.05 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,315.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,657.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,530.38 |
| Weekly | $765.19 |
| Hourly | $19.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $39,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $49,270 | 79,480 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $45,730 | 2,380 |
| Ithaca, NY | $45,640 | 470 |
| Kingston, NY | $44,710 | 540 |
| Binghamton, NY | $44,410 | 1,310 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $43,560 | 1,590 |
| Syracuse, NY | $42,940 | 3,120 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $40,160 | 4,200 |
| Rochester, NY | $40,050 | 5,130 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $38,320 | 470 |
| Elmira, NY | $37,960 | 440 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Orderly | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,740 | $17.18 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $39,790 a year, or $19.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $48,120 a year. The top 25% earn $45,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,150 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $38,150 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 5,230 nursing assistants are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.