Engineering Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Chemical Engineer Salary in Rochester, New York

The median chemical engineer salary in Rochester, NY is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 26.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$95,634
vs State Avg
$-34,003
vs National
$-10,626
Cost of Living
90%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Rochester: What to Expect (2026)

Rochester offers a median chemical engineer salary of $95,634, which is $34,003 below the New York state average of $129,637. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Rochester pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rochester's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Rochester spans from $61,200 at the 10th percentile to $154,800 at the 90th percentile — a $93,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,800. With a population of 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $63,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $61,200
25th Percentile $75,600
Median (50th) $95,634
75th Percentile $124,200
90th Percentile $154,800

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$198,706
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$143,451
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$104,135
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$97,759
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Rochester

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Rochester and the surrounding New York area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rochester may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Rochester, NY:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Rochester, New York is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $61,200 (10th percentile) to $154,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,634, a chemical engineer in Rochester earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Rochester's median chemical engineer salary of $95,634 is 26.2% below the New York state average of $129,637. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rochester, NY? ▼
Rochester has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $95,634 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Rochester? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Rochester require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.