Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Schenectady, NY: $64,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Schenectady, NY earns a median $64,370/year (≈ $30.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Schenectady's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $55,539 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Schenectady, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $64,370, which is approximately 8.37% lower than the national median of $70,247. Salaries in this field range from around $45,522 at the 10th percentile to as high as $83,185 at the 90th percentile, reflecting different workplace settings and productivity expectations. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, emphasizing the unique job market dynamics in Schenectady. With an anticipated growth rate of 2.73% annually, the demand for physical therapist assistants remains solid, especially as healthcare facilities seek to maintain high standards of patient care amidst evolving reimbursement landscapes.
About the Schenectady Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,522 | $21.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,259 | $27.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,370 | $30.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,113 | $36.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,185 | $39.99 |
Median Salary Position
8.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Schenectady
In Schenectady, NY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,663 (2026 est.). At $64,370, the local median is 8.37% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Schenectady: You'd be above the median
How Schenectady Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Schenectady median: $64,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Schenectady Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,677 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -8.37% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Schenectady, NY earn a median of $64,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.37% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.70% above the New York state average of $62,677.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Schenectady has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Schenectady, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,370 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,539 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,871
2025 BLS Actual
$62,659
2026 Current Est.
$64,370
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Schenectady (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,871 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,769 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,518 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,719 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,329 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,659 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,127 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Schenectady metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $53,871 (2019) to $62,659 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,256 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Schenectady 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) | $45,522 – $56,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,259 – $64,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,370 – $75,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,113 – $83,185 |
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 Schenectady
There are currently 16 physical therapist assistants employed in Schenectady, making for a localized job market that can be competitive. With a cost-of-living index of 115.9, compensation must stretch further than national averages suggest. Higher salaries are typically found in outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, where productivity often correlates with greater pay. Factors driving the variability in salaries include work setting—hospital roles generally paying better than outpatient or skilled nursing facilities—alongside weekend premium pay and supervision requirements. The recent 15% Medicare cut to PTA-provided services has further compressed earnings in heavily Medicare-dependent environments. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Schenectady, securing positions in higher-paying settings, considering further education such as a PTA-to-DPT bridge program, and honing treatment efficiency can lead to improved financial outcomes.
More salary data for Schenectady, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Schenectady, NY in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Schenectady?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Schenectady?
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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 $62,659 for physical therapist assistantsin the Schenectady 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
Salary data for Schenectady is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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