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High School Teacher Salary in Buffalo, NY — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Buffalo's cost of living (index: 88). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

High School Teacher Salary in Buffalo — Key Numbers

$55,493
Median Salary
$43,340
25th Percentile
$71,122
75th Percentile
$88,484
90th Percentile
National median (High School Teacher)$63,060
vs. National median-12.0%
Buffalo median household income$52,400
vs. City household income+5.9%

Cost of Living in Buffalo

Cost of Living Index
88(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$1,125/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio24.3%
Annual rent cost$13,500
Median Home Price$215,000
Home Price / Salary3.9×
20% Down Payment$43,000
Years to save (20% rate)3.9 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Buffalo

4.2%
Unemployment Rate
1,200,000
Metro Population
22 min
Avg Commute
36.2
Median Age

Buffalo has a metro population of 1,200,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Buffalo

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Cost of Living — Buffalo
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High School Teacher Salary in New York
Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Buffalo

Physician$201,784Chief Executive Officer$184,800Dentist$154,449IT Manager$149,169Marketing Manager$138,706Lawyer$128,269

High School Teacher Salary — Other New York Cities

New York, NY$117,922Rochester, NY$54,232Albany, NY$59,907Poughkeepsie, NY$75,672Syracuse, NY$54,232

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a High School Teacher make in Buffalo, NY?

The estimated median salary for a High School Teacher in Buffalo is $55,493 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $63,060 adjusted by Buffalo's cost of living index (88). The typical salary range runs from $43,340 (25th percentile) to $71,122 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $88,484.

Is Buffalo affordable for a High School Teacher?

On a $55,493 annual salary, a High School Teacher in Buffalo would spend approximately 24.3% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,125/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Buffalo relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $215,000 is 3.9× the annual salary.

How does a High School Teacher's salary compare to Buffalo's overall income?

Buffalo's median household income is $52,400. A High School Teacher earning the city-adjusted median of $55,493 earns 5.9% more than the typical Buffalo household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

High School Teacher — NationalHigh School Teacher in New YorkAll Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.