Overall unemployment rate moved down to 5.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 4,300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2021.

Total employment in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY market rose by 5,287 jobs in May and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 70 bps to 5.3%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 25 bps over the same time to 5.5%.

  • Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY unemployment rate is 20 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 1,020 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in May versus prior month by 0.4% and are up compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY Unemployment May 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 2.0% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 97,100; +2,000
  • Education & Healthcare: 90,600; -400
  • Government: 87,600; +1,600
  • Business Services: 68,600; +200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 52,800; +4,300
  • Manufacturing: 51,700; +400
  • Financial Services: 35,600; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 23,200; +2,400
  • Other Jobs: 23,100; +100
  • IT & Development: 5,900; +100
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY Unemployment by Industry May 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through May 2021 (Data published June 2021 and reports created on June 30, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.