How much does a motor vehicle operator make in Buffalo?
$34,210a year
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area. That is $16.45 an hour or $2,851 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.45
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among cities
- 95 of 168
- Jobs in the area
- 270
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $32,240Median: $34,210Highest 10%: $47,430
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| 25th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| Median | $34,210 | $16.45 | |
| 75th | $38,980 | $18.74 | |
| 90th | $47,430 | $22.80 |
Other cities in New York
Median yearly pay for motor vehicle operators.
| Watertown, NY | $52,520 |
| New York, NY | $45,850 |
| Kiryas Joel, NY | $39,610 |
| Syracuse, NY | $35,290 |
| Rochester, NY | $35,080 |
| Albany, NY | $32,940 |
| Binghamton, NY | $32,240 |
Related jobs in Buffalo
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial Pilot | $153,200 |
| Captain | $77,120 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $74,700 |
| Transportation Inspector | $66,620 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $61,160 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $59,440 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $52,340 |
| Bus Driver | $51,500 |
| Bus Driver | $50,220 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $47,630 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a motor vehicle operator make an hour in Buffalo?
The median hourly pay in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $16.45 ($34,210 a year).
Do motor vehicle operators make more in Buffalo than the national average?
No: $34,210 against $37,180 nationally, 8% less.
How does Buffalo compare with the rest of New York?
The median in New York is $38,950, so Buffalo pays 12% less.
Where does Buffalo rank for motor vehicle operator pay?
95 of 168 metro areas with data.
How much does a motor vehicle operator make starting out in Buffalo?
The lowest-paid 10% make $32,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,430 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.