Greater Rochester, NY Regional Economic Development
Life Sciences
From nanomaterials to photonics, explore the core technologies driving life sciences companies’ growth in Greater Rochester, NY.
Photo by Kurt Brownell
Discovering Cures Right Here in Rochester
Nanomaterials, photonics, and medical imaging have been integrated into products such as diagnostic instruments, noninvasive medical imaging systems, and prescription contact lenses for local companies such as Carestream Health, CooperVision, and QuidelOrtho.
Precision roll-to-roll coating processes and testing services, large-scale manufacturing facilities, cleanroom space for assembly of medical products, and a highly-skilled workforce manufacturing Class 1 & 2 medical devices are all right here in Rochester. Add to this our robust supply chain efficiencies, which allow companies to locally source automation machinery, plastic parts, and test strips at a cost that is competitive in the global marketplace.
Leveraging the capabilities and expertise among many precision manufacturers, software development firms, and research institutions, a diverse and highly skilled technical and engineering environment is readily available to collaborate in the development, prototyping, and commercialization of medical devices, biotech products, and healthcare IT applications.
Position
Rochester Annual Mean Wage
National Annual Mean Wage
Rochester Advantage
Biological Technicians
$45,960
$56,540
18.7%
Chemical Engineers
$82,750
$122,910
32.7%
Engineers, All Other
$107,820
$118,350
8.9%
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
$45,070
$57,470
21.6%
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
$76,860
$86,710
11.4%
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars
$59,010
$70,260
16.0%
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
$81,150
$87,870
7.6%
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
$45,210
$62,640
27.8%
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
$81,490
$112,380
27.5%
Microbiologists
$73,350
$93,380
21.4%
Sales and Related Workers, All Other
$41,680
$54,150
23.0%
Sales Engineers
$110,660
$130,550
15.2%
Social Science Research Assistants
$51,580
$62,370
17.3%
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Creating New VaccinesCarestream Health Advances Medical ImagingDeveloping New Innovations
A Powerful New Drug Discovery Partnership With NY State
Empire Discovery Institute (EDI) is a New York-based non-profit dedicated to turning scientific discoveries into breakthrough treatments and cures. By partnering with leading institutions like the University of Rochester, University at Buffalo and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, EDI supports pharmaceutical research and helps build a thriving biotech start-up community in New York State. With guidance from experienced industry experts, EDI bridges the gap between academic innovation and commercial success. Their efforts are made possible through a seed grant from Empire State Development.
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Greater Rochester, New York’s Key Industries
Encompassing everything from precision-engineered technologies to the next breakthroughs in your favorite foods and beverages, the Rochester region has it all.
Greater Rochester, NY – Where smart people live and smart businesses grow.
High tech companies know Rochester as the optics mecca in the United States.
Matt Sydor Vice President, Sales and Compliance, Sydor Optics
Rochester is the right place for a manufacturer like Pfisterer. We found an affordable, suitable manufacturing site, a skilled and motivated workforce, excellent infrastructure and a city with an excellent standard of living.
Marcus Horn President, North America, Pfisterer
At Toyota Material Handling North America, which is comprised of two main group companies – Toyota Material Handling and The Raymond Corporation – we are committed to leading the way in energy innovation. We believe that the Greater Rochester, NY region shares that commitment, and is the ideal location to establish our cutting-edge energy storage and fuel cell development center.”
Jennifer Lupo Vice President of Energy Solutions, Supply Chain, and Leasing, The Raymond Corporation
Rochester has a great work base. They’re loyal. They’re smart. They’re well educated and they want to succeed.
Jim Continenza Executive Chairman and CEO, Eastman Kodak
We keep and maintain and are investing specifically in Rochester because that is where the talent is. We don’t succeed without the right talent.
David Velasquez Vice President and General Manager, Corning Incorporated
Rochester has the manufacturing capability, testing capability, and intellectual horsepower.
Matt Fronk Past Chairman, NY BEST
Rochester has a deep talent pool around all of the things that we need to do to commercialize advanced materials for the energy economy.
Ben Britton Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Ionomr
The decision to expand locally was a relatively easy one for CooperVision. The Rochester area has provided so many of the elements necessary for a successful operation.
Jerry Warner President, CooperVision
The proximity to top colleges and industry-leading companies, in addition to the quality of life in Western New York, made the decision to open our second office in Rochester an easy one.
Mike Pinch Director, Security Risk Advisors
“Rochester is world famous for precision optics manufacturing and photonics.”
Jennifer Cable President, Thorlabs
We have a long history of people skilled in aerospace technology and precision optical assembly. We take advantage of the industrial base in the Rochester area. We also take advantage of the skill sets developed by our local technical institutions like MCC, RIT, or the University of Rochester.”
Tony Whitman Cryogenic Optical Test Director for James Webb Space Telescope, L3 Harris
We have inherited an exceptional quality of life thanks to an impressive cluster of cultural organizations, unparalleled natural resources, and a resilient and welcoming spirit of community.
David Munson President, Rochester Insititute of Technology
Once people get here and their families get used to short commute times, low home prices, the fact we have all kinds of recreational sporting activities, the quality of schools, they don’t want to leave.
Arunas Chesonis CEO and Chairman, Sweetwater Energy
Rochester has provided ID Signsystems with the ability to grow and develop by tapping into the region’s large pool of design-focused talent, technicians, engineers and sign makers.
Paul Dudley President, ID Signsystems
Our network of local universities, colleges, and optics companies has created a workforce pipeline that is unmatched anywhere in the United States.
Joseph Spilman CEO, Optimax
GRE’s direction and guidance proved to be well worth our investment. Their passion to make the business environment in the Rochester area greater is very apparent.
Scott MacCaull Workplace Interiors
There is unlimited, untapped technical talent in the area and I hope we start a wave of other companies moving to Rochester.
Austin McChord Founder, Datto
Rochester has a long history of being a hub for telecommunications. There is a rich ecosystem of talent and services to support business growth.
Jai Ramachandran Founder and CEO, Wire3
Rochester is the perfect size city to get business done. I’m always one connection away from anything I’m looking for.
Zack Phillips President, Kink BMX
We have access to talent graduating from our businesses and technical institutions capable of perpetuating our success for years to come.
Marc Iacona President & CEO, Simcona Electronics
The Rochester region provided convenient access to both railroads and major highways, as well as proximity to Barilla’s customer base in the Northeast.
Fabio Pettenati Vice President of Supply Chain, Barilla America
We’re excited about this area. There’s high-quality milk in the region. There’s a lot of top talent. The industry, the innovation, the technical experience , the work ethic is all attractive to us.
Phil LaMothe Vice President of Manufacturing, fairlife
The country is starting to recognize Rochester as a technical city outside of just software. We have optics and manufacturing that’s exceeding most of the baselines around the country.
Craig Lamb Co-owner, Envative
Rochester has the resources optics companies need to transform their concepts into reality.
Dr. Duncan T. Moore Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship and Professor of Optical Engineering
Rochester has a great base of intellectual capital in the science and technology fields at local businesses and universities.
Daniel J. Burns Area Executive for Upstate NY, Western NY, and Pennsylvania, M&T Bank Corporation
We’ve developed vaccines to prevent cervical cancer right here in Rochester.
Peter Robinson Vice President and COO, University of Rochester Medical Center
Among many great options, none could match Rochester in terms of talent, local supplier networks, and opportunities to partner with top-tier research institutions.
Andy Marsh CEO, Plug Power
There is an incredible hotbed of talent in Rochester.
Jeff Mucha CEO and Managing Partner, EEP Quality Group
