Registered Nurse Salary in Rochester, NY
Registered Nurses in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $86,570 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,654 take-home, or $5,471 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$10,215
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,367
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,255
- New York income tax$4,078
- Take-home pay$65,654
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,340 | $38.14 | $60,958 | $5,080 |
| 25th percentile | $82,780 | $39.80 | $63,193 | $5,266 |
| Median (50th) | $86,570 | $41.62 | $65,654 | $5,471 |
| 75th percentile | $100,760 | $48.44 | $74,810 | $6,234 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,350 | $51.13 | $78,413 | $6,534 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $86,570 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $65,654 take-home pay has the buying power of $67,660 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.15).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #318 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 318 | Rochester, NY | $86,570 | $65,654 | $67,660 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in New York
- Watertown, NY — $96,070
- Binghamton, NY — $101,720
- Glens Falls, NY — $104,000
- New York, NY — $119,720
- Buffalo, NY — $99,060
- Utica, NY — $94,300
- Albany, NY — $99,970
- Kingston, NY — $101,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Rochester, NY?
The median registered nurse salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $86,570 a year, or about $41.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,780 and $100,760.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $86,570 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $65,654 a year ($5,471 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,078 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $67,660 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #318 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 23% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
- Physicians, All Other — $214,550
- Pharmacist — $136,310
- Physician Assistant — $130,430
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,110
- Dental Hygienist — $93,650
- Physical Therapist — $83,070
- Occupational Therapist — $81,750
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $81,290
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $80,220
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $76,390
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,060
- Medical Records Specialist — $49,010