Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Social Workers currently employed in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls is 1,550.
  • Social Workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls earn an average of $58,870 per year or $28.30 per hour.
  • The percentage of New York Social Workers who work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Social Workers who work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls is less than 1%.

Rankings for Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls

  • Ranks #6 in New York for salary and #9 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #3 in New York for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #61 in the nation for salary and #158 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #46 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to New York

Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls Social Workers earn an average of $58,870 or $28.30 per hour which is 14% less than the New York average salary of $68,660.

AverageBuffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara FallsNew York% Difference
Hourly Wage$28.30$33.01-14.27%
Annual Salary$58,870$68,660-14.26%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls Social Workers earn an average of $58,870 or $28.30 per hour which is 7% more than the U.S. average salary of $54,880.

AverageBuffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara FallsU.S.%
Hourly Wage$28.30$26.397.24%
Annual Salary$58,870$54,8807.27%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Social Workers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls earns an average annual salary of $61,515 which compares to the New York average annual salary of $68,660. per year.

Cost-of-living in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls is 4% less than the New York average, which means Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to New York average.

  • New York average salary is $68,660.
  • New York cost-of-living adjusted salary is $62,299.
  • Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls average salary is $58,870.
  • Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls cost-of-living adjusted salary is $61,515.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls$58,87095.70%$61,515
New York$68,660110.21%$62,299
U.S.$54,880$54,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, 50% of Social Workers earn between $47,760 and $63,900 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Social Workers earn more than $77,950, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Social Workers.

Approximately 10% of Social Workers earn under $38,830, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Social Workers.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year155Under $38,830
15%2 – 4 years232$38,830 – $47,760
25%5 – 9 years388$47,760 – $60,510
25%10 – 14 years388$60,510 – $63,900
15%15 – 20 years232$60,510 – $77,950
10%20+ years155Above $77,950
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $58,870, Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls Social Workers tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($112,970), School Psychologists ($81,270), and Psychology Teachers ($70,940).

However, Social Workers tend to earn more than Substance Abuse Counselors ($45,090), and Health Care Social Workers ($53,160).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$112,970
School Psychologists$81,270
Psychology Teachers$70,940
Social Workers$58,870
Health Care Social Workers$53,160
Substance Abuse Counselors$45,090
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls Social Workers

The number of Social Workers currently employed in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls is 1,550.

Social Workers earn an average of $58,870 per year or $28.30 per hour in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls Social Workers earn an average of $61,515 per year or $30 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($112,970), School Psychologists($81,270), Psychology Teachers($70,940).


Additional Salary Reports for Social Workers in New York cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Social Workers: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data