Registered Nurse Salary in Rochester, NY — 2026 Guide
Estimated salaries are adjusted for Rochester's cost of living (index: 86). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.
Registered Nurse Salary in Rochester — Key Numbers
Cost of Living in Rochester
Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.
Job Market in Rochester
Rochester has a metro population of 1,090,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.8% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.
Financial Calculators for Rochester
Other Professions in Rochester
Registered Nurse Salary — Other New York Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Registered Nurse make in Rochester, NY?
The estimated median salary for a Registered Nurse in Rochester is $74,020 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $86,070 adjusted by Rochester's cost of living index (86). The typical salary range runs from $59,245 (25th percentile) to $92,613 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $114,105.
Is Rochester affordable for a Registered Nurse?
On a $74,020 annual salary, a Registered Nurse in Rochester would spend approximately 20.3% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,250/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Rochester relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $185,000 is 2.5× the annual salary.
How does a Registered Nurse's salary compare to Rochester's overall income?
Rochester's median household income is $56,200. A Registered Nurse earning the city-adjusted median of $74,020 earns 31.7% more than the typical Rochester household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.
Explore More Salary Data
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.