Software Developer Salary in Rochester, NY
Software Developers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $122,770 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $88,976 take-home, or $7,415 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,199
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,612
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,780
- New York income tax$6,203
- Take-home pay$88,976
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 5.90% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,580 | $38.26 | $61,114 | $5,093 |
| 25th percentile | $99,640 | $47.90 | $74,088 | $6,174 |
| Median (50th) | $122,770 | $59.02 | $88,976 | $7,415 |
| 75th percentile | $151,540 | $72.86 | $106,943 | $8,912 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $170,170 | $81.81 | $118,577 | $9,881 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $122,770 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 software developer's $88,976 take-home pay has the buying power of $91,695 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Software Developer jobs are about as common in Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.87).
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #58 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
| 58 | Rochester, NY | $122,770 | $88,976 | $91,695 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Software Developer salaries elsewhere in New York
- New York, NY — $166,830
- Buffalo, NY — $127,850
- Albany, NY — $127,910
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Rochester, NY?
The median software developer salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $122,770 a year, or about $59.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $99,640 and $151,540.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $122,770 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $88,976 a year ($7,415 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,203 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $91,695 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #58 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer 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) — 17% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
- Computer User Support Specialist — $60,620