Physical Therapist Pay

Auburn vs New York: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Auburn, NY and New York, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Auburn, NY
$91,555
$44.02/hr
New York, NY
$110,298
$53.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAuburn, NYNew York, NY
Median Salary$91,555$110,298
Hourly Rate$44.02$53.02
Entry Level (P10)$71,827$77,245
25th Percentile$78,037$97,849
75th Percentile$107,984$132,542
Top Earner (P90)$118,533$145,360
Total Employed421,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Auburn ($91,555) and New York ($110,298) physical therapist salaries.AuburnNew YorkMedian Salary$91,555$110,298Entry Level (P10)$71,827$77,245Top Earner (P90)$118,533$145,360US Median $105,288

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Auburn.

The salary gap between Auburn and New York is $18,743 (20.47%). New York's median is +4.76% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Auburn spans $46,706,New York spans $68,115. New York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Auburn
P10 (Entry)$71,827
P25$78,037
Median$91,555
P75$107,984
P90 (Top)$118,533
New York
P10 (Entry)$77,245
P25$97,849
Median$110,298
P75$132,542
P90 (Top)$145,360

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($97,988 effective) pays 24.04% more than Auburn ($78,995 effective).

Auburn
Nominal: $91,555
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $78,995
New York
Nominal: $110,298
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $97,988

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Auburn if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($110,298/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,360)
  • Larger job market (21,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,988)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Auburn grew -20.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.7% growth in New York over the same period.

Auburn, NY

+-20.5%

$112,355 (2024) → $89,357 (2025)

New York, NY

+11.7%

$96,350 (2019) → $107,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Auburn or New York?

New York has a higher median physical therapist salary at $110,298/year, compared to Auburn at $91,555/year — a difference of $18,743 (20.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Auburn and New York?

Auburn physical therapists earn $44.02/hr while New York hygienists earn $53.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Auburn to New York as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Auburn and New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Auburn = $78,995, New York = $97,988), job availability (4 vs 21,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Auburn vs New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $71,827 in Auburn and $77,245 in New York. The New York area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov