Registered Nurse salary in Rochester, NY
Registered Nurses in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $86,570 a year ($41.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,350 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 21% lower than the New York statewide median of $109,440. There are 25 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,340 | $38.14 |
| 25th percentile | $82,780 | $39.80 |
| Median | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| 75th percentile | $100,760 | $48.44 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,350 | $51.13 |
| Average (mean) | $92,250 | $44.35 |
Half of registered nurses earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,214.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,607.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,329.62 |
| Weekly | $1,664.81 |
| Hourly | $41.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $119,720 | 197,740 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $104,000 | 1,030 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $102,890 | 5,760 |
| Binghamton, NY | $101,720 | 2,570 |
| Kingston, NY | $101,030 | 1,000 |
| Ithaca, NY | $100,320 | 940 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $99,970 | 10,230 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $99,060 | 13,830 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $96,070 | 900 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $94,300 | 2,600 |
| Syracuse, NY | $86,960 | 8,180 |
| Elmira, NY | $82,820 | 730 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
| Veterinarian | $127,580 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Rochester, NY?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Rochester, NY metro area is $86,570 a year, or $41.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $106,350 a year. The top 25% earn $100,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,340 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $82,780 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Rochester, NY?
About 12,340 registered nurses are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.