Physical Therapist salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Physical Therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $95,800 a year ($46.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,420 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 5% lower than the New York statewide median of $100,660. There are 2.6 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,460, close to the median.
Pay range for physical therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,210 | $31.83 |
| 25th percentile | $77,160 | $37.09 |
| Median | $95,800 | $46.06 |
| 75th percentile | $104,940 | $50.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,420 | $55.97 |
| Average (mean) | $92,460 | $44.45 |
Half of physical therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,983.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,991.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,684.62 |
| Weekly | $1,842.31 |
| Hourly | $46.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $107,650 | 21,240 |
| Ithaca, NY | $101,290 | 110 |
| Binghamton, NY | $99,670 | 240 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $97,110 | 640 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $96,170 | 100 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $94,020 | 790 |
| Syracuse, NY | $92,080 | 700 |
| Kingston, NY | $91,460 | 90 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $87,200 | 90 |
| Elmira, NY | $86,680 | 60 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $85,930 | 250 |
| Rochester, NY | $83,070 | 1,140 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $99,060 | $47.63 |
| Physicians, All Other | $108,510 | $52.17 |
| Pharmacist | $137,900 | $66.30 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,360 | $60.75 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,560 | $39.21 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,470 | $39.65 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,720 | $41.69 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,990 | $37.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $186,600 | $89.71 |
| Dentists, General | $178,260 | $85.70 |
| Veterinarian | $127,500 | $61.30 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $303,190 | $145.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $95,800 a year, or $46.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $116,420 a year. The top 25% earn $104,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,210 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $77,160 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 1,410 physical therapists are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.