Amherst Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Amherst, NY: $29.31/hr median hourly wage, $60,960 median annual salary, cost of living index 131, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and New York taxes.
Amherst Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Amherst, NY is $29.31/hr, equivalent to $60,960 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.17/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.62/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$60,960
$29.31/hr
Cost of Living
131
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Amherst, NY Overview
Population
126,082
Median Salary
$60,960
Average Salary
$68,275
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$460,000
Median Rent
$1,903/mo
Job Growth
+0.5%
Sales Tax
4%
Amherst is located in New York with a population of 126,082. The median household salary is $60,960 per year ($29.31/hour), which is $1,576 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.5%.
Amherst Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Amherst, NY based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,960 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $37,795 | $18.17/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,960 | $29.31/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $86,563 | $41.62/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $108,509 | $52.17/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Amherst Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Amherst, NY, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$45,791
$3,815.90/month · $1,761.18/biweekly · Effective Rate: 24.9%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,761.18 take-home per paycheck after estimated New York and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$60,960
Federal Tax
-$5,135
State Tax
-$4,176
Local Tax
-$1,195
FICA
-$4,663
Net Pay
$45,791
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,080.00 | $60,960.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$427.93 | -$5,135.20 |
| New York State Tax (6.85%) | -$347.98 | -$4,175.76 |
| Local Tax (1.96%) | -$99.57 | -$1,194.82 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$314.96 | -$3,779.52 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$73.66 | -$883.92 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,815.90 | $45,790.78 |
Salary Comparison: Amherst vs Other Cities
See how Amherst's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst, NY | $60,960 | 131 | $46,534 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Marlborough, MA | $60,950 | 121.7 | $50,082 |
| Gloucester, MA | $60,925 | 126.6 | $48,124 |
| Ridgecrest, CA | $60,922 | 144.5 | $42,161 |
| Surprise, AZ | $61,000 | 99 | $61,616 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Amherst
Amherst's cost of living index is 131 (national average = 100). Living in Amherst is 31% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$460,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,903
Annual Rent Cost
$22,836
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $45,791 annual take-home pay in Amherst has the purchasing power of approximately $34,955 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $79,858 in Amherst to match a $60,960 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Amherst
Amherst's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,960.
Salary Tips for Amherst Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Amherst has a cost of living 31% above the national average. When negotiating salary, factor in the higher housing and living costs to ensure your real purchasing power stays competitive.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 6.85% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Amherst's top industries include Finance, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,960 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Amherst salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Amherst-NY metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Amherst indexed at 131.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Amherst's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,960 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects New York state income tax (6.85%), plus Amherst local tax of 1.96%, sales tax (4%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Amherst: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New York.
- Housing context: median home price $460,000, median rent $1,903/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Amherst, NY:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Amherst unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Amherst QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — New York — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Amherst's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent New York labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Amherst, NY?
The median hourly wage in Amherst, NY is $29.31 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $60,960 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.17/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.62/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Amherst, NY?
The median salary in Amherst, NY is $60,960 per year, or $29.31 per hour. The average salary is $68,275. This is $1,576 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Amherst, NY?
Amherst's cost of living index is 131 (national average = 100), meaning it is 31% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $460,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,903.
What are the best industries in Amherst?
The top industries in Amherst, NY include Finance, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 0.5% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,960.
How does Amherst's salary compare to other cities?
Amherst's median salary of $60,960 is 2.7% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 131), the real purchasing power is approximately $46,534.
What is the minimum wage in Amherst, NY?
The minimum wage in Amherst, NY is $15.00 per hour. This equals approximately $31,200 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.