Physical Therapist Pay

New York vs North Tonawanda: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$110,298
$53.02/hr
North Tonawanda, NY
$92,004
$44.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYNorth Tonawanda, NY
Median Salary$110,298$92,004
Hourly Rate$53.02$44.23
Entry Level (P10)$77,245$72,907
25th Percentile$97,849$78,958
75th Percentile$132,542$109,070
Top Earner (P90)$145,360$120,028
Total Employed21,2408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($110,298) and North Tonawanda ($92,004) physical therapist salaries.New YorkNorth TonawandaMedian Salary$110,298$92,004Entry Level (P10)$77,245$72,907Top Earner (P90)$145,360$120,028US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and North Tonawanda is $18,294 (19.88%). 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 New York spans $68,115,North Tonawanda spans $47,121. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$77,245
P25$97,849
Median$110,298
P75$132,542
P90 (Top)$145,360
North Tonawanda
P10 (Entry)$72,907
P25$78,958
Median$92,004
P75$109,070
P90 (Top)$120,028

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($97,988 effective) pays 23.44% more than North Tonawanda ($79,382 effective).

New York
Nominal: $110,298
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $97,988
North Tonawanda
Nominal: $92,004
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $79,382

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose North Tonawanda if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in New York grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -20.5% growth in North Tonawanda over the same period.

New York, NY

+11.7%

$96,350 (2019) → $107,650 (2025)

North Tonawanda, NY

+-20.5%

$112,906 (2024) → $89,795 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: New York or North Tonawanda?

New York has a higher median physical therapist salary at $110,298/year, compared to North Tonawanda at $92,004/year — a difference of $18,294 (19.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and North Tonawanda?

New York physical therapists earn $53.02/hr while North Tonawanda hygienists earn $44.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and North Tonawanda. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $97,988, North Tonawanda = $79,382), job availability (21,240 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $77,245 in New York and $72,907 in North Tonawanda. The New York area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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