Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Valley Stream, NY: $60,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Valley Stream, NY earns a median $60,832/year (≈ $29.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Valley Stream's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $52,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Valley Stream is projected to be $60,832, which reflects a significant gap from the national median of $70,247. The salary range for earners in this profession varies widely, falling between $41,316 at the lower end and reaching as high as $78,887 for the most experienced individuals. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, factor in local economic conditions and living costs, which are notably higher in the Valley Stream area. Given the smaller pool of 10 physical therapist assistants employed locally, market dynamics heavily influence compensation, showcasing that productivity in terms of visits-per-day plays a key role in determining effective earnings.
About the Valley Stream Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,316 | $19.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,638 | $26.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,832 | $29.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,205 | $33.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,887 | $37.93 |
Median Salary Position
13.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Valley Stream
In Valley Stream, NY, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,571 (2026 est.). At $60,832, the local median is 13.4% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Valley Stream: You'd be above the median
How Valley Stream Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Valley Stream median: $60,832/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Valley Stream Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,648 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.40% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Valley Stream, NY earn a median of $60,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.40% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.90% below the New York state average of $62,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Valley Stream has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Valley Stream, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,832 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,487 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,910
2025 BLS Actual
$59,215
2026 Current Est.
$60,832
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Valley Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,759 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,357 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,491 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,494 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,215 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Valley Stream metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,910 (2019) to $59,215 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,582 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Valley Stream 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) | $41,316 – $55,638 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,638 – $60,832 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,832 – $70,205 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,205 – $78,887 |
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 Valley Stream
Evaluating the Valley Stream job market further reveals an intricate connection between salaries and the local cost of living, rated at a 115.9 index. This elevated index implies that take-home pay must stretch further, affecting purchasing power for physical therapist assistants. Employers in the region, particularly outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities, tend to offer the most competitive wages. However, pay discrepancies exist primarily due to productivity expectations, with weekend or PRN shifts often commanding premiums. Supervision requirements and the impact of the 15% Medicare cut further influence compensation, particularly in settings reliant on Medicare. For PTAs seeking to maximize pay in Valley Stream, pursuing additional certifications or transitioning to roles with higher earnings potential, such as those in hospital inpatient rehab, can yield significant financial rewards.
More salary data for Valley Stream, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $59,215 for physical therapist assistantsin the Valley Stream 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 Valley Stream 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