Engineering Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Rochester, New York

The median nuclear engineer salary in Rochester, NY is $108,342 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 26.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$108,342
vs State Avg
$-38,522
vs National
$-12,038
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rochester offers a median nuclear engineer salary of $108,342, which is $38,522 below the New York state average of $146,864. Compared to the national median of $120,380, 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 nuclear engineers in Rochester spans from $68,400 at the 10th percentile to $160,200 at the 90th percentile — a $91,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,200, while senior nuclear engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $154,800. With a population of 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level nuclear engineer earns around $70,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $154,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$109,800
$-12,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$154,800
$-17,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $68,400
25th Percentile $86,400
Median (50th) $108,342
75th Percentile $133,200
90th Percentile $160,200

Nuclear Engineer Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$225,111
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$162,513
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$117,972
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$110,750
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Nuclear Engineer in Rochester

Education

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

Key Skills

Nuclear PhysicsReactor DesignSafety AnalysisRadiation ProtectionMATLABRegulatory Compliance

Job Outlook

Nationally, nuclear engineer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Rochester may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Nuclear Engineer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open nuclear engineer positions in Rochester, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Nuclear Engineer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Nuclear Engineer make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median nuclear engineer salary in Rochester, New York is $108,342 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $120,380. Salaries range from $68,400 (10th percentile) to $160,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Nuclear Engineer make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $108,342, a nuclear engineer in Rochester earns approximately $52 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for nuclear engineer pay? ▼
Rochester's median nuclear engineer salary of $108,342 is 26.2% below the New York state average of $146,864. 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 nuclear engineer salary of $108,342 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a nuclear engineer in Rochester? ▼
Most nuclear engineer positions in Rochester require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Nuclear Physics, Reactor Design, Safety Analysis, Radiation Protection. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.