SOC 19-2042 · Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers Salary in Buffalo, NY

The average salary for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Buffalo, New York is $97,660 a year ($46.95 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $81,710: half of the 60 people in this job in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 16% less than the U.S. average for this job ($116,150).

$97,660average per year

$46.95 / hourMedian $81,710Take-home ≈ $72,722

  • $66K10th
  • $72K25th
  • $82KMedian
  • $114K75th
  • $140K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

60people in this job
-16%vs U.S. average
#2 of 5New York metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay range in Buffalo

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,770 a year or less, while the top 10% make $139,760 or more. The middle half of geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Buffalo earn between $71,770 and $113,860.

  • $66K10th
  • $72K25th
  • $82KMedian
  • $114K75th
  • $140K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$97,660$8,138$46.95
Median$81,710$6,809$39.28
Entry level (25th percentile)$71,770$5,981$34.50
Experienced (75th percentile)$113,860$9,488$54.74

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers pay in Buffalo vs. New York and the U.S.

Geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) in Buffalo earn about the same as the New York average ($97,780) and 16% less than the U.S. average ($116,150). At the median the gap is -20% against the U.S. median of $101,920.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Buffalo$97,660$81,710$65,770$139,76060
New York$97,780$86,410$64,990$139,760600
United States$116,150$101,920$59,330$200,23023,470

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary after taxes in Buffalo

On the average salary of $97,660, a single filer in Buffalo takes home about $72,722 a year, or $6,060 a month and $2,797 every two weeks. Taxes take 26% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.

New York paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Buffalo a good place for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Buffalo area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.8), so the average $97,660 buys what about $101,895 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Buffalo ($50,790). A typical home costs $288,316, or 3.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $97,660 is worth in another city

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in other New York cities

Buffalo ranks 2nd of 5 New York metro areas for this job; New York pays the most ($104,070).

All Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salaries in New York

Highest-paying cities for geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers)

Midland, TX pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($192,880).

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary by city

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Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers salary in Buffalo: questions

How much do geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) make an hour in Buffalo?

$46.95 an hour on average, and $39.28 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) salary in Buffalo?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,770 a year and the 25th percentile is $71,770, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) take-home pay in Buffalo?

About $72,722 a year ($6,060 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $97,660. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.

Do geoscientists (except hydrologists and geographers) earn more in Buffalo than elsewhere?

The average here is 16% less than the U.S. average for this job ($116,150).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-2042; area Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY (15380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.70, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.70).

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