Buffalo Employment

Employment and Industries in the Buffalo, New York Area

The Buffalo region's economy is based on a mix of industry, light manufacturing, life science research, service-oriented companies and high technology. Manufacturing has declined but it's still a significant part of the economy. Education, health services and finances have become more prominent in the economy. In addition, the region's "Byte Belt" includes about 700 high-tech firms which provide a large number of jobs.

Employment is provided in industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, automotive components, plastics and polymers, food and food products, fabricated metals, medical instruments, aerospace and defense technology.

Buffalo has increasingly become a hub for bioinformatics and human genome research. Some of the research is being performed at the University at Buffalo and the Rosewell Park Cancer Institute. The University at Buffalo's technological resources are provided to private industry. The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus includes a number of organizations and companies.

Buffalo includes the headquarters of M&T Bank and facilities for HSBC Bank USA, Bank of America and KeyBank. Merchants Insurance Group is also located in the city. Buffalo is also home to Rich Products, one of the largest family-owned food manufactures in the world. Labatt and New Era Cap Company also have their headquarters in the city. In addition, Ford has a plant in Buffalo.

The Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Development Consortium, Inc., offers numerous local programs for training and retraining employees. The Business Services Division of the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Development Consortium is available to customize training programs for companies, coordinate on-the-job training and help transition displaced workers.

Buffalo's top employers:

  • HSBC Bank USA
  • Rosewell Park Cancer Institute
  • American Axle & Manufacturing
  • Buffalo General Hospital
  • M & T Bank
  • Verizon
  • Ingram Micro
  • Ford Motor Co
  • National Fuel Gas Co
  • Univera Health Care
  • ClientLogic
  • Niagara Mohawk Power Corp
  • Catholic Health System, Inc
  • New York Department of Transportation
  • Erie County Medical Center, Corporation
  • HSBC North America Inc
  • Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
  • Healthnow New York Inc
  • R E Rich Family Holding Corporation
  • Sisters of Charity Hospital of Buffalo, New York

The leading nonagricultural employment sectors in Buffalo:

  • Trade, transportation and utilities
  • Government
  • Education
  • Health services
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional and business services
  • Leisure and hospitality
  • Financial activities

Local businesses are provided assistance by useful associations such as:

People interested in staying current with local business and industry activities may want to read the Buffalo News.

Jobs in Buffalo

RankTitleTotal EmployeesLocal Mean Salary (Per Year)Local Mean Salary (Per hour)National Growth % 2014-2024
1All Occupations550890$50,780$24.41100
2Office and Administrative Support Occupations82800$41,210$19.8113.75
3Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations53250$28,840$13.868.7
4Sales and Related Occupations53130$40,810$19.629.5
5Transportation and Material Moving Occupations40590$35,680$17.166.7
6Educational Instruction and Library Occupations39140$58,490$28.126
7Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations36740$80,860$38.885.85
8Production Occupations36150$42,550$20.465.6
9Business and Financial Operations Occupations27900$71,560$34.45.35
10Healthcare Support Occupations25000$31,220$15.012.85
11Management Occupations22130$122,000$58.656.35
12Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations21180$49,440$23.773.75
13Construction and Extraction Occupations19670$53,970$25.954.6
14Retail Salespersons18760$29,060$13.972.7
15Fast Food and Counter Workers17340$26,080$12.542.45
16Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations15380$31,840$15.313.6
17Personal Care and Service Occupations14750$31,580$15.184.65
18Computer and Mathematical Occupations14360$77,420$37.223
19Protective Service Occupations14110$52,080$25.042.2
20Home Health and Personal Care Aides13910$28,200$13.560
21Customer Service Representatives12500$38,950$18.721.75
22Registered Nurses12280$76,120$36.591.95
23Cashiers11800$25,760$12.392.2
24Community and Social Service Occupations11240$49,130$23.621.75
25Waiters and Waitresses10180$30,810$14.811.65
26Office Clerks, General9840$34,590$16.631.9
27Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive9390$39,480$18.981.4
28Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand8550$32,550$15.651.8
29General and Operations Managers8390$123,110$59.191.5
30Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners7870$30,020$14.431.5
31Stockers and Order Fillers7670$28,400$13.651.25
32Architecture and Engineering Occupations7340$78,010$37.511.7
33Receptionists and Information Clerks6610$32,760$15.750.7
34First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers6530$60,660$29.160.95
35Maintenance and Repair Workers, General6510$40,720$19.570.9
36Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations6290$54,850$26.371.8
37Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks5440$41,110$19.771.05
38Accountants and Auditors5270$73,920$35.540.9
39Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers5120$45,550$21.91.2
40Legal Occupations5100$85,270$410.8
41Nursing Assistants5100$32,030$15.40.95
42Cooks, Restaurant4990$30,690$14.760.9
43Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators4990$33,940$16.320.8
44Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations4550$66,440$31.940.8
45Security Guards4380$32,410$15.580.7
46Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses4230$44,450$21.370.5
47Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity4180$36,930$17.750.3
48Bartenders4170$30,490$14.660.4
49Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products4090$68,960$33.150.85
50First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers4050$47,300$22.740.95
51Light Truck Drivers3780$36,220$17.420.6
52Construction Laborers3730$40,280$19.370.9
53Bill and Account Collectors3460$33,340$16.030.15
54First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers3400$35,380$17.010.6
55Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers3310$90,240$43.380.65
56Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers3230$33,730$16.220.75
57Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants3090$62,120$29.860.35
58Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners3080$27,620$13.280.9
59Computer User Support Specialists3050$51,410$24.720.4
60Childcare Workers3010$26,270$12.630.7
61Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel2940$53,600$25.770.7
62Substitute Teachers, Short-Term2850$33,300$16.010.4
63Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics2830$41,370$19.890.5
64Lawyers2780$104,360$50.170.5
65Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers2710$42,330$20.350.35
66Dishwashers2700$25,220$12.130.3
67First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers2700$68,830$33.090.4
68Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks2700$47,980$23.070.2
69Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents2590$80,760$38.830.3
70Food Preparation Workers2580$26,470$12.720.5
71Carpenters2550$47,270$22.730.6
72Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other2510$71,860$34.550.7
73Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric2460$170,840$82.130.3
74Electricians2370$64,360$30.940.45
75Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers2360$36,060$17.340.2
76Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks2360$36,250$17.430.4
77Billing and Posting Clerks2290$42,400$20.390.3
78Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers2230$67,850$32.620.4
79Machinists2180$47,810$22.980.2
80Human Resources Specialists2130$64,560$31.040.4
81Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists2130$65,900$31.680.45
82Driver/Sales Workers2050$27,800$13.370.3
83Computer Systems Analysts2040$86,780$41.720.4
84Compliance Officers1990$73,580$35.370.2
85Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers1980$26,000$12.50.3
86Management Analysts1910$81,950$39.40.55
87Social and Human Service Assistants1910$35,250$16.950.3
88First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers1900$70,320$33.810.3
89Correctional Officers and Jailers1860$63,030$30.30.25
90Self-Enrichment Teachers1820$45,200$21.730.2
91Medical Assistants1730$34,820$16.740.45
92First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers1720$73,090$35.140.4
93Training and Development Specialists1700$59,780$28.740.2
94Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders1680$37,270$17.920.2
95Financial Managers1640$156,880$75.430.4
96Word Processors and Typists1620$38,340$18.430
97Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment1610$28,750$13.820.3
98Recreation Workers1610$31,210$15.010.3
99First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors1580$53,590$25.770.3
100Network and Computer Systems Administrators1540$83,490$40.140.2
Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov
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Additional Details

Buffalo Colleges
Buffalo colleges and trade schools.

Jobs More Common Near Buffalo Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$50,780550,890
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,21082,800
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$28,84053,250
Sales and Related Occupations$40,81053,130
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,68040,590
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$58,49039,140
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$80,86036,740
Production Occupations$42,55036,150
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$71,56027,900
Healthcare Support Occupations$31,22025,000
Management Occupations$122,00022,130
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,44021,180
Construction and Extraction Occupations$53,97019,670
Retail Salespersons$29,06018,760
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,08017,340
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$31,84015,380
Personal Care and Service Occupations$31,58014,750
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$77,42014,360
Protective Service Occupations$52,08014,110
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$28,20013,910
Customer Service Representatives$38,95012,500
Registered Nurses$76,12012,280
Cashiers$25,76011,800
Community and Social Service Occupations$49,13011,240
Waiters and Waitresses$30,81010,180
Office Clerks, General$34,5909,840
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,4809,390
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$32,5508,550
General and Operations Managers$123,1108,390
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,0207,870
Stockers and Order Fillers$28,4007,670
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$78,0107,340
Receptionists and Information Clerks$32,7606,610
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$60,6606,530
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,7206,510
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$54,8506,290
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,1105,440
Accountants and Auditors$73,9205,270
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$45,5505,120
Legal Occupations$85,2705,100
Nursing Assistants$32,0305,100
Cooks, Restaurant$30,6904,990
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,9404,990
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$66,4404,550
Security Guards$32,4104,380
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$44,4504,230
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$36,9304,180
Bartenders$30,4904,170
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,9604,090
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,3004,050

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Buffalo, New York Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
All Occupations$50,780550,890
Office and Administrative Support Occupations$41,21082,800
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$28,84053,250
Sales and Related Occupations$40,81053,130
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$35,68040,590
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$58,49039,140
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$80,86036,740
Production Occupations$42,55036,150
Business and Financial Operations Occupations$71,56027,900
Healthcare Support Occupations$31,22025,000
Management Occupations$122,00022,130
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$49,44021,180
Construction and Extraction Occupations$53,97019,670
Retail Salespersons$29,06018,760
Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,08017,340
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$31,84015,380
Personal Care and Service Occupations$31,58014,750
Computer and Mathematical Occupations$77,42014,360
Protective Service Occupations$52,08014,110
Home Health and Personal Care Aides$28,20013,910
Customer Service Representatives$38,95012,500
Registered Nurses$76,12012,280
Cashiers$25,76011,800
Community and Social Service Occupations$49,13011,240
Waiters and Waitresses$30,81010,180
Office Clerks, General$34,5909,840
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39,4809,390
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$32,5508,550
General and Operations Managers$123,1108,390
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$30,0207,870
Stockers and Order Fillers$28,4007,670
Architecture and Engineering Occupations$78,0107,340
Receptionists and Information Clerks$32,7606,610
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$60,6606,530
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$40,7206,510
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$54,8506,290
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$41,1105,440
Accountants and Auditors$73,9205,270
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$45,5505,120
Legal Occupations$85,2705,100
Nursing Assistants$32,0305,100
Cooks, Restaurant$30,6904,990
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$33,9404,990
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$66,4404,550
Security Guards$32,4104,380
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$44,4504,230
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$36,9304,180
Bartenders$30,4904,170
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$68,9604,090
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$47,3004,050

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