Engineering Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Civil Engineer Salary in Rochester, New York

The median civil engineer salary in Rochester, NY is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 26.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$80,946
vs State Avg
$-28,781
vs National
$-8,994
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rochester offers a median civil engineer salary of $80,946, which is $28,781 below the New York state average of $109,727. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 civil engineers in Rochester spans from $54,360 at the 10th percentile to $124,740 at the 90th percentile — a $70,380 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,800, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,000. With a population of 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $55,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$81,000
$-9,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$117,000
$-13,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $54,360
25th Percentile $65,880
Median (50th) $80,946
75th Percentile $102,600
90th Percentile $124,740

Civil Engineer Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$168,188
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$121,419
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$88,141
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$82,745
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Rochester

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rochester may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open civil engineer positions in Rochester, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Rochester, New York is $80,946 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $54,360 (10th percentile) to $124,740 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $80,946, a civil engineer in Rochester earns approximately $39 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Rochester's median civil engineer salary of $80,946 is 26.2% below the New York state average of $109,727. 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 civil engineer salary of $80,946 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Rochester? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Rochester require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.