Lawyer salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Lawyers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $130,800 a year ($62.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,100 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 37% lower than the New York statewide median of $207,860. There are 5.5 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $143,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,040 | $34.64 |
| 25th percentile | $95,490 | $45.91 |
| Median | $130,800 | $62.88 |
| 75th percentile | $168,560 | $81.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $225,100 | $108.22 |
| Average (mean) | $143,440 | $68.96 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,450 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,030.77 |
| Weekly | $2,515.38 |
| Hourly | $62.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $208,880 | 94,610 |
| Rochester, NY | $148,150 | 1,710 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $138,630 | 910 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $136,970 | 70 |
| Ithaca, NY | $135,610 | 130 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $131,310 | 3,180 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $130,100 | 250 |
| Binghamton, NY | $129,480 | 300 |
| Syracuse, NY | $128,910 | 1,190 |
| Elmira, NY | $126,900 | 80 |
| Kingston, NY | $115,280 | 220 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $109,240 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $174,250 | $83.77 |
| Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators | $75,200 | $36.15 |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $117,540 | $56.51 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $62,550 | $30.07 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $57,360 | $27.58 |
More: Legal Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for lawyers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $130,800 a year, or $62.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $225,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $225,100 a year. The top 25% earn $168,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,040 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $95,490 or less.
How many lawyers work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 2,930 lawyers are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.