Technology Rochester, NY Pop. 211,328

Software Engineer Salary in Rochester, New York

The median software engineer salary in Rochester, NY is $124,200 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median and 24.2% below the New York state average.

City Median
$124,200
vs State Avg
$-39,744
vs National
+$0
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rochester offers a median software engineer salary of $124,200, which is $39,744 below the New York state average of $163,944. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Rochester pays above average 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 software engineers in Rochester spans from $74,600 at the 10th percentile to $198,580 at the 90th percentile — a $123,980 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,000, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $185,000. With a population of 211,328, Rochester is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Rochester by Experience

In Rochester, an entry-level software engineer earns around $78,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $185,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,000
+$0 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,000
+$0 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$185,000
+$0 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rochester, NY

Percentile Rochester
10th Percentile $74,600
25th Percentile $98,200
Median (50th) $124,200
75th Percentile $158,200
90th Percentile $198,580

Software Engineer Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$244,674
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$180,090
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$134,136
Pop. 99,224
Buffalo, NY
$126,684
Pop. 278,349

How to Become a Software Engineer in Rochester

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rochester may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Rochester

Browse open software engineer positions in Rochester, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Rochester

How much does a Software Engineer make in Rochester, NY? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Rochester, New York is $124,200 per year, which is 0.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $74,600 (10th percentile) to $198,580 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Rochester? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $124,200, a software engineer in Rochester earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rochester compare to the New York state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Rochester's median software engineer salary of $124,200 is 24.2% below the New York state average of $163,944. 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 software engineer salary of $124,200 in Rochester has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Rochester? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Rochester require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.