Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $27.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Buffalo, NY runs $27.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,176 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,911 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, New York, the projected median hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant is $27.97. This figure is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.77, which reflects a notable difference and potential challenges in the local job market. For part-time or per-diem workers, this hourly rate suggests that those working three days a week in settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health could expect a pay structure that may impact their overall financial stability. The hourly pay range for physical therapist assistants in Buffalo extends from $23.01 for entry-level positions to $32.85 for those in top-tier roles, emphasizing opportunities for growth within the profession based on experience and the choice of work environment.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.01 | $184.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.83 | $198.64 |
| Median (P50) | $27.97 | $223.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.88 | $247.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.85 | $262.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $27.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.97/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $58,185 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,568. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,118.94 | $4,849 | $58,185 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $671.36 | $2,909 | $34,911 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.57 | $1,939 | $23,274 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Buffalo) | $27.97 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $58,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.18% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.20% below the New York state average of $62,690.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.97/hr = $34,911/year (purchasing power: $36,425).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,185/year (purchasing power: $60,708).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Buffalo grew 26.7% from $21.50/hr (2019) to $27.23/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.74/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Buffalo
For physical therapist assistants considering part-time roles, working 24 hours a week at the $27.97 hourly rate would yield an annual income of approximately $43,000, which is typically less compared to full-time earnings. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Buffalo often ranges between $32 and $48 per hour, attracting many PTAs to flexible roles despite heightened scheduling constraints. Some may find work in skilled nursing facilities or hospitals, although recent cuts to Medicare reimbursements have led to reduced pay in these settings. Different employer types, from outpatient orthopedic clinics to school therapy programs, offer varying hourly rates; hence it’s beneficial for PTAs to consider the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower rates that include health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies should focus on articulating value based on experience and certifications that align with local demand, especially in a market pressured by regulatory changes and budgetary constraints.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Buffalo in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Buffalo?
Are physical therapist assistants in Buffalo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Buffalo?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Buffalo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Buffalo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov