Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in Rochester
A nursing assistant in the Rochester, NY area earns an estimated $40,050 a year ($19.25/hr) — about 5% below the U.S. average, with most between $39,340 and $45,070. City figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Nursing Assistant (CNA) — Rochester, NY
Verified public wage dataMedian annual pay
$40,050
-5% vs nationalHourly
$19.25/hr
- Typical range
- $39,340–$45,070
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $47,800
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $38,070
- Newer nurses
Other nursing roles in Rochester
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this metro.
What affects nursing assistant pay in Rochester
Finger Lakes healthcare hub. For a nursing assistant, local pay also reflects the concentration of major hospital systems and academic medical centers, union contracts, shift differentials, unit acuity, and how competitive staffing is. Nights, weekends, and critical-care specialties typically add to base pay. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
Where this figure comes from
This is the actual median wage reported for Rochester, NY in official U.S. government wage data — about 5% below the U.S. average. It is measured from employer-reported payroll, not estimated from a national average.
In Rochester, NY, the lowest-paid 10% earn about $38,070 and the highest-paid 10% about $47,800. Where you land depends on specialty, shift, overtime, union status, employer type, and years of experience.
Source year: 2025. Updated when new official wage data is published.
How to use this metro figure
- It’s the median actually reported for Rochester — half of nurses earn more, half earn less. A midpoint, not an offer you’re guaranteed.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Rochester make this page more precise over time.
Nursing Assistant salary in Rochester — FAQ
- How much does a nursing assistant make in Rochester?
- A nursing assistant in the Rochester, NY area earns an estimated $40,050 a year — about $19.25 an hour, with most between $39,340 and $45,070. That's about 5% below the national average. This is an estimate based on the role's national pay and Rochester's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Rochester a good place for nursing assistants?
- On pay, Rochester runs about 5% below the national average for nursing assistants. Big-city wages are often offset by a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $40,050 against local housing and expenses.
- How does Rochester nursing assistant pay compare to New York overall?
- Statewide, New York nursing assistants earn an estimated $48,590 a year, versus about $40,050 in Rochester. Metro pay can run above or below the state figure depending on hospital concentration and local demand.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.
BLS OEWS (May 2025, metro)
Rochester, NY figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Rochester, NY (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national nursing assistant pay adjusted for Rochester. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.