Engineering Buffalo, NY Pop. 278,349

Chemical Engineer Salary in Buffalo, New York

The median chemical engineer salary in Buffalo, NY is $97,759 per year, which is 8% below the national median and 24.6% below the New York state average.

City Median
$97,759
vs State Avg
$-31,878
vs National
$-8,501
Cost of Living
92%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Buffalo: What to Expect (2026)

Buffalo offers a median chemical engineer salary of $97,759, which is $31,878 below the New York state average of $129,637. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Buffalo pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Buffalo's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Buffalo spans from $62,560 at the 10th percentile to $158,240 at the 90th percentile — a $95,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,400, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $149,040. With a population of 278,349, Buffalo is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Buffalo by Experience

In Buffalo, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $64,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $149,040 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,400
$-5,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$99,360
$-8,640 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$149,040
$-12,960 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Buffalo, NY

Percentile Buffalo
10th Percentile $62,560
25th Percentile $77,280
Median (50th) $97,759
75th Percentile $126,960
90th Percentile $158,240

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$198,706
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$143,451
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$104,135
Pop. 99,224
Rochester, NY
$95,634
Pop. 211,328

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Buffalo

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Buffalo and the surrounding New York area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Buffalo may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Buffalo

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Buffalo, NY:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Buffalo

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Buffalo, NY? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Buffalo, New York is $97,759 per year, which is 8% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $62,560 (10th percentile) to $158,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Buffalo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $97,759, a chemical engineer in Buffalo earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Buffalo compare to the New York state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Buffalo's median chemical engineer salary of $97,759 is 24.6% below the New York state average of $129,637. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Buffalo, NY? ▼
Buffalo has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $97,759 in Buffalo has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Buffalo? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Buffalo require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.