Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $29.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Rochester, NY runs $29.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,806 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,488 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, New York, a physical therapist assistant earns a median hourly rate of $29.24. This figure is considerably lower than the national median hourly pay of $33.77, reflecting the local economic landscape and the cost of living index of 97.035. For part-time workers, for instance, those who operate on a three-day workweek can expect to take home a steady income, while per-diem roles, often seen in various therapeutic settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals, present flexible options for earning. The hourly pay range stretches from $24.50 at the lower end to $34.44 for highly experienced professionals. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 2026 highlights how entry-level and seasoned practitioners navigate the compensation differences based on their respective environments and specialties.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.50 | $196.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.91 | $223.29 |
| Median (P50) | $29.24 | $233.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.69 | $245.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.44 | $275.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $29.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.24/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $60,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,084. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,169.48 | $5,068 | $60,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.69 | $3,041 | $36,488 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.79 | $2,027 | $24,325 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Rochester) | $29.24 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $60,806 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.44% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.00% below the New York state average of $62,686.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.24/hr = $36,488/year (purchasing power: $37,603).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,813/year (purchasing power: $62,671).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Rochester grew 13.0% from $25.19/hr (2019) to $28.46/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.04/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Part-time physical therapist assistants working 24 hours per week can expect to bring home a significant annual income, although less than that of their full-time counterparts. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Rochester typically falls between $32 and $48 per hour, allowing for potentially lucrative engagement opportunities not usually available in standard positions. However, the recently implemented 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursement rates for PTA services may have impacted pay rates, especially in skilled nursing facilities. Employers vary in terms of compensation: outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer better pay compared to home health agencies, while school therapy programs could have distinct pay scales based on their funding structures. Some PTAs opt for positions with lower hourly rates to gain access to health insurance benefits. Practical negotiation tips suggest emphasizing experience and specialized skills when discussing compensation, which is crucial in a fluctuating market like Rochester's.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Rochester in 2026?
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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 Rochester. 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