SOC 17-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemical Engineers — Rochester
Rochester, NY · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $133,740 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $125,040.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $133,740 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $125,040. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $127,090 and $133,740. The lowest tenth earn under $90,590, while the highest tenth earn more than $133,740.
Within the state, Albany records the highest median at $129,060. Of the 562 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 34th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $90,590 | −27.6% |
| 25th | $127,090 | +1.6% |
| Median (50th) | $133,740 | +7.0% |
| 75th | $133,740 | +7.0% |
| 90th | $133,740 | +7.0% |
| Mean | $126,720 | +1.3% |
Other metro areas in New York
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rochester run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $133,740 buys what $123,948 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$133,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$123,948US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $133,740 a year, 7.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $90,590 to $133,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Albany, at $129,060.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemical Engineers in Rochester, NY?
The median annual wage is $133,740, or $64.30 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $125,040, so pay in Rochester, NY is 7.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Rochester, NY earns more than $133,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $90,590 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Albany, at $129,060 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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