Niagara Falls Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Niagara Falls, NY: $29.47/hr median hourly wage, $61,305 median annual salary, cost of living index 134.2, and $15.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and New York taxes.
Niagara Falls Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Niagara Falls, NY is $29.47/hr, equivalent to $61,305 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.27/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.85/hr, and the local minimum wage is $15.00/hr.
Median Salary
$61,305
$29.47/hr
Cost of Living
134.2
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$15.00
per hour
Unemployment
4.7%
rate
Niagara Falls, NY Overview
Population
48,671
Median Salary
$61,305
Average Salary
$68,662
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$395,000
Median Rent
$1,604/mo
Job Growth
+2.2%
Sales Tax
4%
Niagara Falls is located in New York with a population of 48,671. The median household salary is $61,305 per year ($29.47/hour), which is $1,921 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.2%.
Niagara Falls Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Niagara Falls, NY based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $61,305 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 | $38,009 | $18.27/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $61,305 | $29.47/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $87,053 | $41.85/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $109,123 | $52.46/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.
Niagara Falls Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Niagara Falls, NY, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$46,056
$3,838.00/month · $1,771.38/biweekly · Effective Rate: 24.9%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,771.38 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
$61,305
Federal Tax
-$5,177
State Tax
-$4,199
Local Tax
-$1,183
FICA
-$4,690
Net Pay
$46,056
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,108.75 | $61,305.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$431.38 | -$5,176.60 |
| New York State Tax (6.85%) | -$349.95 | -$4,199.39 |
| Local Tax (1.93%) | -$98.60 | -$1,183.19 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$316.74 | -$3,800.91 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$74.08 | -$888.92 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,838.00 | $46,055.99 |
Salary Comparison: Niagara Falls vs Other Cities
See how Niagara Falls's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls, NY | $61,305 | 134.2 | $45,682 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Livermore, CA | $61,310 | 150.5 | $40,738 |
| Bountiful, UT | $61,296 | 100.2 | $61,174 |
| West Fargo, ND | $61,283 | 96.8 | $63,309 |
| Cumberland, RI | $61,278 | 108.2 | $56,634 |
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 Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls's cost of living index is 134.2 (national average = 100). Living in Niagara Falls is 34.19999999999999% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$395,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,604
Annual Rent Cost
$19,248
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $46,056 annual take-home pay in Niagara Falls has the purchasing power of approximately $34,319 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $82,271 in Niagara Falls to match a $61,305 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $61,305.
Salary Tips for Niagara Falls Workers
- Negotiate for cost of living. Niagara Falls has a cost of living 34.19999999999999% 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. Niagara Falls's top industries include Finance, Technology, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $61,305 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 Niagara Falls salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Niagara Falls-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 Niagara Falls indexed at 134.2.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Niagara Falls's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $61,305 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects New York state income tax (6.85%), plus Niagara Falls local tax of 1.93%, sales tax (4%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Niagara Falls: 4.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Finance, Technology, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for New York.
- Housing context: median home price $395,000, median rent $1,604/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Niagara Falls, NY:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Niagara Falls unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Niagara Falls 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. Niagara Falls'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 Niagara Falls, NY?
The median hourly wage in Niagara Falls, NY is $29.47 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $61,305 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.27/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.85/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Niagara Falls, NY?
The median salary in Niagara Falls, NY is $61,305 per year, or $29.47 per hour. The average salary is $68,662. This is $1,921 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Niagara Falls, NY?
Niagara Falls's cost of living index is 134.2 (national average = 100), meaning it is 34.19999999999999% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $395,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,604.
What are the best industries in Niagara Falls?
The top industries in Niagara Falls, NY include Finance, Technology, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.2% and an unemployment rate of 4.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $61,305.
How does Niagara Falls's salary compare to other cities?
Niagara Falls's median salary of $61,305 is 3.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 134.2), the real purchasing power is approximately $45,682.
What is the minimum wage in Niagara Falls, NY?
The minimum wage in Niagara Falls, 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.