Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Buffalo, NY: $42,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Buffalo, NY earns a median $42,376/year (≈ $20.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $44,214 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual certified nursing assistant salary in Buffalo, New York, for 2026 is set at $42,376, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $45,007. Certified nursing assistants in Buffalo earn between $39,565 at the 10th percentile and $51,248 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating the varied earning potential within this profession. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight a significant pathway for career advancement in the healthcare field, as many CNAs transition into higher-paying roles, such as licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or registered nurses (RNs). As Buffalo continues to recover from workforce challenges, the demand for qualified CNAs remains critical in enhancing care across local healthcare facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,565 | $19.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,376 | $20.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,248 | $24.63 |
Median Salary Position
5.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,683 (2026 est.). At $42,376, the local median is 5.85% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Buffalo Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $42,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $46,061 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -5.85% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $42,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 8.00% below the New York state average of $46,061.
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 certified nursing assistant earning $42,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,214 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,140
2025 BLS Actual
$39,790
2026 Current Est.
$42,376
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,940 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 27.8% from $31,140 (2019) to $39,790 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,991 (44.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) 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 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-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) | $39,565 – $40,630 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,630 – $42,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,376 – $48,010 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,010 – $51,248 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Buffalo
The local job market for certified nursing assistants in Buffalo is robust, with approximately 5,230 CNAs currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, sitting at 95.844, indicates that while salaries are slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power for CNAs is relatively stable. Skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially for CNAs willing to work night shifts or weekends, which can lead to additional hourly premiums. Factors such as shift differentials, agency rates during staffing shortages, and specialized certifications contribute to the spread in pay rates. To maximize earnings in Buffalo's market, aspiring CNAs should consider pursuing weekend-only roles or acquiring CMA certifications for additional stipends. By strategically planning their career path and gaining diverse experiences, CNAs can better position themselves to move into higher-paying positions within the healthcare sector.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Buffalo, NY in 2026?
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to work as a certified nursing assistant?
Can certified nursing assistants make $100K in Buffalo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted certified nursing assistant salary in Buffalo?
How much does a certified nursing assistant make per hour in Buffalo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
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 $39,790 for certified nursing assistantsin the Buffalo metropolitan area. A 6.50% 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, 7-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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov