Technology Buffalo, NY Pop. 278,349

Data Scientist Salary in Buffalo, New York

The median data scientist salary in Buffalo, NY is $110,180 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 22.7% below the New York state average.

City Median
$110,180
vs State Avg
$-32,406
vs National
+$2,160
Cost of Living
92%

Data Scientist Pay in Buffalo: What to Expect (2026)

Buffalo offers a median data scientist salary of $110,180, which is $32,406 below the New York state average of $142,586. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Buffalo pays above average 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 data scientists in Buffalo spans from $62,628 at the 10th percentile to $181,764 at the 90th percentile — a $119,136 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,440, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $168,300. With a population of 278,349, Buffalo is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Buffalo by Experience

In Buffalo, an entry-level data scientist earns around $73,440, while experienced professionals earn up to $168,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,440
+$1,440 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$114,240
+$2,240 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$168,300
+$3,300 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Buffalo, NY

Percentile Buffalo
10th Percentile $62,628
25th Percentile $85,884
Median (50th) $110,180
75th Percentile $143,820
90th Percentile $181,764

Data Scientist Salary in Other New York Cities

How to Become a Data Scientist in Buffalo

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Buffalo may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Buffalo

Browse open data scientist positions in Buffalo, NY:

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Buffalo

How much does a Data Scientist make in Buffalo, NY? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Buffalo, New York is $110,180 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $62,628 (10th percentile) to $181,764 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Buffalo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $110,180, a data scientist in Buffalo earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Buffalo compare to the New York state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Buffalo's median data scientist salary of $110,180 is 22.7% below the New York state average of $142,586. 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 data scientist salary of $110,180 in Buffalo has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Buffalo? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Buffalo require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.