SOC 25-2012 · Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Buffalo, NY

The average salary for kindergarten teachers (except special education) in Buffalo, New York is $77,020 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $75,460: half of the 420 people in this job in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 11% more than the U.S. average for this job ($69,370).

$77,020average per year

Median $75,460Take-home ≈ $59,382

  • $46K10th
  • $53K25th
  • $75KMedian
  • $102K75th
  • $113K90th

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

420people in this job
+11%vs U.S. average
#4 of 12New York metros
96cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Buffalo

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,440 a year or less, while the top 10% make $112,650 or more. The middle half of kindergarten teachers (except special education) in Buffalo earn between $52,770 and $102,500.

  • $46K10th
  • $53K25th
  • $75KMedian
  • $102K75th
  • $113K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$77,020$6,418—
Median$75,460$6,288—
Entry level (25th percentile)$52,770$4,398—
Experienced (75th percentile)$102,500$8,542—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Buffalo vs. New York and the U.S.

Kindergarten teachers (except special education) in Buffalo earn 11% less than the New York average ($86,620) and 11% more than the U.S. average ($69,370). At the median the gap is +20% against the U.S. median of $62,680.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Buffalo$77,020$75,460$46,440$112,650420
New York$86,620$77,630$49,020$137,7106,950
United States$69,370$62,680$46,990$101,830108,870

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

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Buffalo

On the average salary of $77,020, a single filer in Buffalo takes home about $59,382 a year, or $4,949 a month and $2,284 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% 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 kindergarten teachers (except special education)? 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 $77,020 buys what about $80,360 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Buffalo ($50,790). A typical home costs $288,316, or 3.7 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $77,020 is worth in another city

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other New York cities

Buffalo ranks 4th of 12 New York metro areas for this job; Kingston pays the most ($94,310).

All Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in New York

Highest-paying cities for kindergarten teachers (except special education)

Modesto, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($107,550).

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Buffalo: questions

What is the entry-level kindergarten teachers (except special education) salary in Buffalo?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,440 a year and the 25th percentile is $52,770, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the kindergarten teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Buffalo?

About $59,382 a year ($4,949 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $77,020. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.

Do kindergarten teachers (except special education) earn more in Buffalo than elsewhere?

The average here is 11% more than the U.S. average for this job ($69,370).

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 25-2012; area Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY (15380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.9%.
  • 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 1.13, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.