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Regional profile
Western New York
5 counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara.
Unemployment rate
4.1%
as of Apr 2026
Median wage (all jobs)
$50,836
On UI benefits
16.4K
as of Apr 2026
Workers (all occupations)
619.3K
Forward-looking
Fastest-growing occupations here
Occupations with the strongest projected growth in the Western New York region (2022 - 2032). Select one to see pay and the full outlook.
Fastest-growing occupations — Western New York
Projected employment change over 2022 - 2032, strongest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners 174 openings/yr | +71.8% |
| Physician Assistants 92 openings/yr | +51.9% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers 183 openings/yr | +45.6% |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks 205 openings/yr | +39.8% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 154 openings/yr | +37.3% |
| Medical Assistants 369 openings/yr | +34.7% |
| Speech-Language Pathologists 77 openings/yr | +34.2% |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides 3,258 openings/yr | +33.0% |
Source: Long Term Occupational Projections (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Looking for pay and career paths? Head to the Career & Opportunity Navigator. Regional figures as of Apr 2026.