Physical Therapist salary in Rochester, NY
Physical Therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $83,070 a year ($39.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,140 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,740 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 17% lower than the New York statewide median of $100,660. There are 2.3 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,070 | $31.77 |
| 25th percentile | $76,810 | $36.93 |
| Median | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| 75th percentile | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,740 | $54.20 |
| Average (mean) | $87,550 | $42.09 |
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 | $6,922.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,461.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,195 |
| Weekly | $1,597.50 |
| Hourly | $39.94 |
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 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $95,800 | 1,410 |
| 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 |
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 Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
| Veterinarian | $127,580 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $83,070 a year, or $39.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $112,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $112,740 a year. The top 25% earn $97,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,070 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $76,810 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Rochester, NY?
About 1,140 physical therapists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.