Technology Buffalo, NY Pop. 278,349

Software Engineer Salary in Buffalo, New York

The median software engineer salary in Buffalo, NY is $126,684 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median and 22.7% below the New York state average.

City Median
$126,684
vs State Avg
$-37,260
vs National
+$2,484
Cost of Living
92%

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

Buffalo offers a median software engineer salary of $126,684, which is $37,260 below the New York state average of $163,944. Compared to the national median of $124,200, 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 software engineers in Buffalo spans from $76,092 at the 10th percentile to $202,552 at the 90th percentile — a $126,460 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,560, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $188,700. With a population of 278,349, Buffalo is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Buffalo by Experience

In Buffalo, an entry-level software engineer earns around $79,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $188,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$79,560
+$1,560 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$127,500
+$2,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$188,700
+$3,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Buffalo, NY

Percentile Buffalo
10th Percentile $76,092
25th Percentile $100,164
Median (50th) $126,684
75th Percentile $161,364
90th Percentile $202,552

Software Engineer Salary in Other New York Cities

How to Become a Software Engineer in Buffalo

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Buffalo may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Buffalo

Browse open software engineer positions in Buffalo, NY:

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Buffalo

How much does a Software Engineer make in Buffalo, NY? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Buffalo, New York is $126,684 per year, which is 2.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $76,092 (10th percentile) to $202,552 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Buffalo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $126,684, a software engineer in Buffalo earns approximately $61 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Buffalo compare to the New York state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Buffalo's median software engineer salary of $126,684 is 22.7% below the New York state average of $163,944. 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 software engineer salary of $126,684 in Buffalo has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Buffalo? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Buffalo require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.