Registered Nurse Salary in Rochester, NY: $91,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Rochester, NY earns a median $91,167/year (≈ $43.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $93,953 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.4% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, registered nurses in Rochester, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $91,167, significantly lower than the national median of $102,730. The salary range for these healthcare professionals varies widely, from $83,553 at the 10th percentile to $111,997 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. The structure of compensation in Rochester reflects the demand for nursing services, where shift differentials for nights and weekends can drive effective earnings higher. This is particularly relevant in acute care and specialty settings, making it a competitive job market for registered nurses in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,553 | $40.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,176 | $41.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,167 | $43.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,110 | $51.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,997 | $53.85 |
Median Salary Position
11.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,444 (2026 est.). At $91,167, the local median is 11.26% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Rochester median: $91,167/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $105,274 | -13.40% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -11.26% less |
Registered Nurses in Rochester, NY earn a median of $91,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.26% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 13.40% below the New York state average of $105,274.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $91,167 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,953 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,290
2025 BLS Actual
$86,570
2026 Current Est.
$91,167
2019–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 30.6% from $66,290 (2019) to $86,570 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,718 (44.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $83,553 – $87,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,176 – $91,167 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,167 – $106,110 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,110 – $111,997 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Rochester
With approximately 12,340 registered nurses employed in the Rochester area, the local job market remains robust, even as the cost-of-living index stands at 97.035, indicating that living costs are below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power for local RNs, but it also influences salary negotiation strategies. Among the top-paying employers are major hospital systems with ICU and emergency department roles, as well as surgical centers and home health agencies that value specialized skills. The gap between lower and higher salaries often hinges on factors such as shift differentials, which can add $3-$7 per hour for nighttime shifts and $3-$5 for weekend shifts. Registered nurses looking to maximize their pay should pursue specialty certifications and consider travel nursing options, as these can provide significant financial benefits in this evolving market.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $86,570 for registered nursesin the Rochester metropolitan area. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov