Data Analyst Salary in Buffalo, NY: $68,372 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time data analyst in Buffalo, NY earns a median $68,372/year (≈ $32.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-2051). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $71,337 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Buffalo, NY, offers a competitive snapshot for data analyst salaries with a projected median compensation of $68,372 in 2026, which reflects a 14.95% decline compared to the national median of $80,394. The salary range for data analysts in this city spans from $37,406 at the 10th percentile to $106,292 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This range illustrates the full breadth of compensation potential, dependent largely on experience, with significant jumps as analysts move through the corporate levels (L4 to L5 to L6). Buffalo's job market for data analysts is promising, signifying a robust demand within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,406 | $17.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,365 | $24.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,372 | $32.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,932 | $44.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,292 | $51.10 |
Median Salary Position
14.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the data analyst salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,886 (2026 est.). At $68,372, the local median is 14.95% below the national median of $80,394.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Data Analyst Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $68,372/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $68,993 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $80,394 | -14.95% less |
Data Analysts in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $68,372 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% lower than the national median of $80,394 and 0.90% below the New York state average of $68,993.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A data analyst earning $68,372 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,337 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$93,810
2025 BLS Actual
$65,440
2026 Current Est.
$68,372
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Buffalo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $93,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,372 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,435 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew -30.2% from $93,810 (2021) to $65,440 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,435 by 2027 — a total increase of $-22,375 (-23.85%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.48% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,406 – $50,365 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,365 – $68,372 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,372 – $92,932 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,932 – $106,292 |
DA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual data analyst compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Data Analyst Job Market in Buffalo
With approximately 840 data analysts employed in Buffalo, the local job market shows strength, although the cost of living index sits at 95.844, indicating that living expenses are below the national average. This environment allows for enhanced purchasing power for data analysts making a steady income. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include large technology firms, particularly those in AI and healthcare, where expertise in machine learning and analytics can lead to lucrative compensation packages. The substantial disparity in pay between entry-level and senior positions is often driven by the caliber of the firm, such as FAANG companies or unicorn startups, which frequently offer higher equity stakes. Additionally, talent with advanced degrees such as PhDs or extensive experience in specified fields like machine learning often finds themselves at the upper end of the pay spectrum. To maximize salary potential in Buffalo, candidates should focus on enhancing their technical skill sets, actively negotiate compensation packages that include equity, and consider positions at firms that align with their career aspirations.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,440 for data analystsin the Buffalo metropolitan area. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for data analysts (SOC 15-2051).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov