Home health and personal care aides in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY area earn a median of $16.21/hour ($33,720/year), based on the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. That is 0.6% above the national caregiver median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2023. SOC 31-1121 + 31-1122 (combined).
The $16.21/hour figure is the BLS median across all employers — that includes home care agencies, hospice services, and self-employed caregivers. Several legitimate paths can put you on the higher side of that range:
Several New York Medicaid waivers, state programs, and VA benefits allow family caregivers to be paid an hourly wage. See exactly which programs you qualify for and how to apply step-by-step.
The average hourly wage for home health and personal care aides in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls is $17.10, with a median of $16.21. Annual pay averages $35,570 (mean) or $33,720 (median), per BLS OEWS May 2023 data.
Caregivers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls earn 0.6% above the national median of $16.12/hour.
Yes — through Medicaid's consumer-directed services, VA programs, or private long-term care insurance. See our New York guide for the exact application steps.
Not always for non-medical companion care, but a CNA, HHA, or PCA certificate is required by most agencies and typically increases hourly pay by 10–25%. Medicaid-funded roles often require state-approved training.
