Social and Human Service Assistant Salary in Rochester, NY
Social and Human Service Assistants in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $44,800 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,355 take-home, or $3,030 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median social and human service assistant salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,196
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,778
- Medicare (1.45%)$650
- New York income tax$1,822
- Take-home pay$36,355
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Social and Human Service Assistant pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,240 | $15.98 | $27,690 | $2,308 |
| 25th percentile | $37,720 | $18.13 | $31,048 | $2,587 |
| Median (50th) | $44,800 | $21.54 | $36,355 | $3,030 |
| 75th percentile | $55,450 | $26.66 | $44,337 | $3,695 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,620 | $32.03 | $52,697 | $4,391 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,800 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 social and human service assistant's $36,355 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,465 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rochester, NY has 1.9× the national concentration of social and human service assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for social and human service assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #18 of 34 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $58,090 | $48,855 | $43,961 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $49,150 | $41,672 | $42,494 |
| 3 | Kansas City, MO | $45,860 | $37,810 | $40,857 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $53,810 | $43,439 | $40,723 |
| 5 | Indianapolis, IN | $46,550 | $38,239 | $39,959 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $57,580 | $46,193 | $39,955 |
| 7 | Syracuse, NY | $47,330 | $38,251 | $39,952 |
| 8 | Houston, TX | $46,100 | $39,221 | $39,767 |
| 18 | Rochester, NY | $44,800 | $36,355 | $37,465 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 34 metros →
About the job: social and human service assistants
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.4% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Social and Human Service Assistant salaries elsewhere in New York
- Syracuse, NY — $47,330
- New York, NY — $47,860
Frequently asked questions
How much does a social and human service assistant make in Rochester, NY?
The median social and human service assistant salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $44,800 a year, or about $21.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,720 and $55,450.
What is a social and human service assistant’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $44,800 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $36,355 a year ($3,030 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,822 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a social and human service assistant?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $45,930. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,465 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #18 of 34 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a social and human service assistant 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) — 41% of a median social and human service assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.