Physical Therapist Pay

New York vs Plattsburgh: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$110,298
$53.02/hr
Plattsburgh, NY
$88,970
$42.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYPlattsburgh, NY
Median Salary$110,298$88,970
Hourly Rate$53.02$42.78
Entry Level (P10)$77,245$72,536
25th Percentile$97,849$77,334
75th Percentile$132,542$103,548
Top Earner (P90)$145,360$109,295
Total Employed21,2404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($110,298) and Plattsburgh ($88,970) physical therapist salaries.New YorkPlattsburghMedian Salary$110,298$88,970Entry Level (P10)$77,245$72,536Top Earner (P90)$145,360$109,295US Median $105,288

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New York and Plattsburgh is $21,328 (23.97%). 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,Plattsburgh spans $36,759. 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
Plattsburgh
P10 (Entry)$72,536
P25$77,334
Median$88,970
P75$103,548
P90 (Top)$109,295

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($97,988 effective) pays 27.65% more than Plattsburgh ($76,764 effective).

New York
Nominal: $110,298
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $97,988
Plattsburgh
Nominal: $88,970
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $76,764

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 Plattsburgh 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 Plattsburgh over the same period.

New York, NY

+11.7%

$96,350 (2019) → $107,650 (2025)

Plattsburgh, NY

+-20.5%

$109,182 (2024) → $86,834 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New York has a higher median physical therapist salary at $110,298/year, compared to Plattsburgh at $88,970/year — a difference of $21,328 (23.97%).

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

New York physical therapists earn $53.02/hr while Plattsburgh hygienists earn $42.78/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Plattsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $97,988, Plattsburgh = $76,764), job availability (21,240 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $77,245 in New York and $72,536 in Plattsburgh. 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