Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Buffalo, NY: $58,176 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Buffalo, NY earns a median $58,176/year (≈ $27.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $60,699 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Buffalo, NY, earn a median annual salary of $58,176, which is significantly lower than the national median of $70,247. This local salary reflects a range that spans from $47,852 at the 10th percentile to $68,336 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the differences in pay that can exist based on experience, workplace setting, and specific demands of the job. The data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys projected for 2026, illustrates that while compensation in Buffalo may lag behind national averages, local opportunities remain robust. The 340 physical therapist assistants currently employed in the city highlight a market that continues to support growth within this profession, particularly as the demand for rehabilitation services rises.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,852 | $23.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,632 | $24.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,176 | $27.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,227 | $30.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,336 | $32.85 |
Median Salary Position
17.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,484 (2026 est.). At $58,176, the local median is 17.18% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be above the median
How Buffalo Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $58,176/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,690 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -17.18% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $58,176 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,699 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,710
2025 BLS Actual
$56,630
2026 Current Est.
$58,176
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,176 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 26.7% from $44,710 (2019) to $56,630 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,054 (33.67%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,852 – $51,632 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,632 – $58,176 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,176 – $64,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,227 – $68,336 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Buffalo
Buffalo's lower-than-average cost of living, indexed at 95.844, offers some relief for physical therapist assistant pay in Buffalo, NY, as it enhances overall purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers are outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospitals, which tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), particularly affected by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for PTA services. The disparity in salaries can derive from various factors, including the setting, productivity expectations, and available benefits. To maximize earnings, aspiring PTAs should consider roles in more lucrative environments like hospitals or specialized rehabilitation clinics, keep diligence in understanding employer metrics, and pursue pathways toward higher educational qualifications like the PTA-to-DPT bridge, which helps enhance long-term earnings potential.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Buffalo?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $56,630 for physical therapist assistantsin the Buffalo metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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