Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in Niagara Falls, NY: $45.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in Niagara Falls, NY runs $45.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,905 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against Niagara Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,941 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Niagara Falls, NY, will have a median hourly pay of $45.63, which is notably lower than the national median of $50.62. This disparity may impact part-time professionals and per-diem workers, who often work in various settings such as outpatient clinics, inpatient rehab units, and sports performance centers. For instance, a part-time therapist working three days a week earns significantly less annually than those who take on full-time roles, showing the implications of hourly pay on overall income. The hourly rates in Niagara Falls range from $34.77 for entry-level positions to $56.23 for top earners, indicating a variation that allows for growth within the profession. These figures are derived from projected annual salaries, underscoring the importance of understanding hourly compensation structures in physical therapy.
About the Niagara Falls Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.77 | $278.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.10 | $304.84 |
| Median (P50) | $45.63 | $365.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.12 | $416.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.23 | $449.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Niagara Falls
Based on $45.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.63/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Niagara Falls, NY can expect to earn approximately $94,901 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,751. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Niagara Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Niagara Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,825.02 | $7,908 | $94,901 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,095.01 | $4,745 | $56,941 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $730.01 | $3,163 | $37,960 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (Niagara Falls) | $45.63 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in Niagara Falls, NY earn a median of $94,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.86% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.50% below the New York state average of $96,350.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.63/hr = $56,941/year (purchasing power: $49,129).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,901/year (purchasing power: $81,882).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$38.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Niagara Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $41.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in Niagara Falls grew 14.9% from $38.76/hr (2019) to $44.53/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Niagara Falls 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in Niagara Falls
Exploring further into the earning potential of physical therapists reveals a diverse landscape for those who choose part-time or per-diem employment in Niagara Falls. For example, a part-time therapist working 24 hours per week, averaging around $45.63, would take home roughly $57,000 annually, which pales in comparison to the potential earnings of full-time professionals. Moreover, per-diem physical therapists can command higher hourly rates, often billing between $50 and $75, while locum tenens or travel contracts can yield weekly pay ranging from $1,800 to $2,800, including stipends. This oscillation in pay highlights the variability across employer types such as outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and sports medicine practices. Therapists must weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against job security and health insurance options offered by full-time employment. Negotiating hourly pay is crucial, as understanding the local market and existing salary trends can empower professionals to secure better compensation tailored to their career goals.
More salary data for Niagara Falls, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapists in Niagara Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapists make in Niagara Falls?
Are physical therapists in Niagara Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist make per year in Niagara Falls?
Do physical therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Niagara Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in Niagara Falls. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Niagara Falls 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov