New York · BLS SOC 29-1123
Physical Therapist salary in New York
Median $119,650 · Top 10% earn $157,040+ · Roughly 15,642 workers in New York. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
- New York median
- $119,650
- $57.52/hr
- Top 10%
- $157,040
- 90th percentile
- Bottom 10%
- $81,420
- Entry-level range
- Real pay
- $103,147
- CoL-adjusted (RPP 116.0)
New York pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for physical therapists — $119,650 versus the national median of $99,710. After adjusting for New York's high cost of living, the pay edge narrows to about $3,437 above U.S. average buying power. The state employs roughly 15,642 physical therapists.
What drives physical therapist pay in New York
NYC outpatient PT pay is competitive but productivity quotas are tight. Hospital acute rehab at HSS, Mount Sinai, and NYU pays the highest base.
Top-paying metros in New York
New York-area metropolitan areas with the highest physical therapist medians.
New York metros
10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.
| Rank | Metro | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $99,800 |
New York ranks #3 of 50 states
Where New York sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.
| Rank | State | Median | vs. New York |
|---|---|---|---|
| #2 | District of Columbia | $120,650 | +$1,000 |
| #1 | Washington | $121,650 | +$2,000 |
| #3 | New York (this page) | $119,650 | — |
| #5 | California | $117,660 | −$1,990 |
| #6 | Massachusetts | $117,660 | −$1,990 |
| #7 | Alaska | $117,660 | −$1,990 |
Find Physical Therapist programs near you
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Education path for New York
The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the New York median of $119,650, payback periods are typically 2 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.
For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with New York selected.
Physical Therapist salary in New York — FAQ
What is the average physical therapist salary in New York?
How does New York physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
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What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in New York?
Methodology note
New York-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where New York's RPP is 116.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.