Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Lawyer Salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

In the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metropolitan area, lawyers earned a median annual wage of $184,600 ($88.75/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $75,700/year and the 90th was $347,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and New York tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $127,027 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 95.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$184,600$88.75 per hour · $15,383 monthly
10th Percentile$75,700$36.39/hr base
25th Percentile$113,300$54.47/hr base
75th Percentile$286,100$137.55/hr base
90th Percentile$347,600$167.12/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$184,600
$70,000$370,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$184,600
Net 69%
Fed 18%
NY 6%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$127,027After all taxes
Monthly deposit$10,586Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$4,886Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate31.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$33,038 / yr
New York state income tax$10,419 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$14,116 / yr

Lawyers Wage Percentiles in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Lawyers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (NY)
10th Percentile$36.39/hr$6,308$75,700$58,594
25th Percentile$54.47/hr$9,442$113,300$82,827
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$88.75/hr$15,383$184,600$127,027
75th Percentile$137.55/hr$23,842$286,100$187,418
90th Percentile$167.12/hr$28,967$347,600$221,735

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$184,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,237Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index95.84.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio255.5%of area median income

Compare lawyers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in New York:

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawyers Pay in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

What is the median salary for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The official BLS median annual wage for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $184,600, which equates to approximately $15,383 per month or $88.75 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

The median hourly wage for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY is $88.75 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $36.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $167.12/hour.

What is the pay range for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

BLS wage estimates for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY span from $75,700 at the 10th percentile to $113,300 at the 25th, $286,100 at the 75th, and $347,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do lawyers take home after taxes in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On a median gross salary of $184,600, an estimated $127,027 lands in net take-home pay per year ($4,886 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in New York in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $57,573 (an effective rate of 31.2%).

How much do lawyers make per month in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

On the median annual salary of $184,600, gross monthly income is $15,383. After federal, FICA, and New York state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $10,586 per month (or $4,886 every two weeks).

Is $184,600 a good salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?

At $184,600, the median salary for lawyers is 255.5% of the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY median household income ($72,237). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 95.8, making regional consumer goods and services 4.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.