Electrician Salary

Buffalo vs Lackawanna: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Buffalo, NY and Lackawanna, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$79,582
$38.26/hr
Lackawanna, NY
$73,487
$35.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYLackawanna, NY
Median Salary$79,582$73,487
Hourly Rate$38.26$35.33
Entry Level (P10)$38,622$55,620
25th Percentile$58,903$60,807
75th Percentile$95,166$94,063
Top Earner (P90)$106,930$113,905
Total Employed2,3405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($79,582) and Lackawanna ($73,487) electrician salaries.BuffaloLackawannaMedian Salary$79,582$73,487Entry Level (P10)$38,622$55,620Top Earner (P90)$106,930$113,905US Median $64,530

Verdict

Buffalo, NY offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lackawanna.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Lackawanna is $6,095 (8.29%). Buffalo's median is +23.33% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $68,308,Lackawanna spans $58,285. Buffalo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$38,622
P25$58,903
Median$79,582
P75$95,166
P90 (Top)$106,930
Lackawanna
P10 (Entry)$55,620
P25$60,807
Median$73,487
P75$94,063
P90 (Top)$113,905

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($83,033 effective) pays 30.96% more than Lackawanna ($63,406 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $79,582
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $83,033
Lackawanna
Nominal: $73,487
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $63,406

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,582/year)
  • Larger job market (2,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,033)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Lackawanna if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,905)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Buffalo grew 21.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -26.3% growth in Lackawanna over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+21.0%

$64,410 (2019) → $77,930 (2025)

Lackawanna, NY

+-26.3%

$97,624 (2024) → $71,961 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Buffalo or Lackawanna?

Buffalo has a higher median electrician salary at $79,582/year, compared to Lackawanna at $73,487/year — a difference of $6,095 (8.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Lackawanna?

Buffalo electricians earn $38.26/hr while Lackawanna hygienists earn $35.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Lackawanna as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Lackawanna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $83,033, Lackawanna = $63,406), job availability (2,340 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Buffalo vs Lackawanna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $38,622 in Buffalo and $55,620 in Lackawanna. The Lackawanna area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov