A message from TechBuffalo CEO Jeffrey Botteron. The 43North Foundation is a proud financial supporter of TechBuffalo, which is dedicated to the creation of a world-class talent pool in Buffalo and Western New York.
Over the last five years, Buffalo has seen several significant, highly visible transformations – population growth for the first time in 70 years, a $40 million Federal Tech Hub designation in the semiconductor space, and construction of the Buffalo Bills stadium and Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, among others.
But under the surface of these headlines exists a quieter though equally consequential transformation of our workforce into a high-skill, technology-driven hub.
Over the last five years, labor market data shows a 51.5% increase in the number of high-paying tech jobs within our region. This growth is so significant that the role of Software Developer – once a specialized profession – now accounts for over 3,800 jobs, making it one of the larger occupations in Western New York.
Those gains are seen across tech and tech-enabled companies, private and public orgs, startups and large enterprises. In addition, the greatest job gains were driven by intense demand for experienced high-level roles like Software Developers and, significantly, Computer and Information Systems Managers. The growth in these senior levels of our tech workforce signals a maturing ecosystem where complex, large-scale work is not just executed here, but managed and directed from Buffalo.
In addition, roles at these levels command significant wages – areas like Artificial Intelligence-skilled positions command a median salary of over $131,000.
Much of the demand has been led by our economy’s traditional stalwarts, which are now embedding technology into their core functions. Commercial banking remains a primary driver, with institutions like M&T Bank hiring hundreds of technology professionals – in the last year alone, the local industry generated over 635 unique postings for tech roles. Advanced manufacturers like Moog Inc. are fusing sophisticated software with high-tech engineering. And increasingly, those longstanding economic pillars are being complemented by tech-native ascending powerhouses like ACV Auctions and Odoo.
Building inclusive pipelines to fill these opportunities is essential. Our K-Gray tech talent strategies – achieved in conjunction with dozens of ecosystem partners – ensure we continue to do just that, meeting the immediate demands of today while building a deeply, intentionally cultivated bench for tomorrow. For example, our recently completed PowerUpTech program hosted 212 interns over the summer – the initiative’s largest class yet.
When I observe these trends, I see the emergence of a resilient, modern economy built on innovation that continues to permeate every sector of our growing economy. Perhaps most importantly, this data reinforces that we are not just building a generic, sterile tech ecosystem, but one specifically built for Buffalo.
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