Expert Software Engineer salary in Rochester, NY
Based on 26 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Rochester, NY metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Pittsford, Webster, Victor, Fairport, West Henrietta.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $135,777 |
| 25th | $137,571 |
| 50th (median) | $144,250 |
| 75th | $166,520 |
| 90th | $189,591 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $110,900 | $107,857 | $122,925 | 26 |
| FY2021 | $122,000 | $110,250 | $125,647 | 23 |
| FY2022 | $120,000 | $108,701 | $134,850 | 33 |
| FY2023 | $137,000 | $124,268 | $182,500 | 15 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2025 | $143,500 | $136,000 | $163,762 | 13 |
| FY2026 | $145,000 | $137,571 | $167,637 | 13 |
Cost of living
Rochester's median expert Software Engineer salary of $144,250 is worth about $148,700 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Rochester = 97.0).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Rochester, NY area earned a median of $122,770 in May 2025 (4,650 employed). The H-1B median here is $144,250, 17% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
| Employer | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| CooperVision | too few | 3 |
| Mks | too few | 3 |
| Centene Management Company | too few | 2 |
| Indotronix International | too few | 2 |
| Lifetime Workforce Solutions | too few | 2 |
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $84,032 | 39 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $96,221 | 119 |
| Senior · Level III | $120,501 | 24 |
| Expert · Level IV | $144,250 | 26 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $73,757 | $84,032 | 39 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $94,349 | $96,221 | 119 |
| Senior · Level III | $116,896 | $120,501 | 24 |
| Expert · Level IV | $137,571 | $144,250 | 26 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.