Physical Therapist Salary in Elmira, NY: $88,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Elmira, NY earns a median $88,812/year (≈ $42.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Elmira's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $94,083 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elmira, the expected median annual salary for physical therapists is projected to reach $88,812 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $77,327 at the 10th percentile to $131,518 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the field. These figures are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and reveal an upward trend in compensation, with a growth rate of 2.46% annually. As local demand drives job openings, these compensation figures also illustrate the productivity expectations prevalent within the industry in Elmira, hinting at the challenges and potential rewards for those who can meet or exceed productivity standards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,327 | $37.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,812 | $42.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,812 | $42.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,874 | $49.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,518 | $63.23 |
Median Salary Position
15.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmira
In Elmira, NY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,191 (2026 est.). At $88,812, the local median is 15.65% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmira: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Elmira Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Elmira median: $88,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmira Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $96,326 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -15.65% less |
Physical Therapists in Elmira, NY earn a median of $88,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.65% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.80% below the New York state average of $96,326.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmira has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elmira, NY has a cost-of-living index of 94.398 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $88,812 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,083 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,040
2025 BLS Actual
$86,680
2026 Current Est.
$88,812
2019–2027 Growth
+12.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,997 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmira metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 7.0% from $81,040 (2019) to $86,680 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,957 (12.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,327 – $88,812 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,812 – $88,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,812 – $103,874 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,874 – $131,518 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Elmira
Looking deeper into the job market in Elmira, there are currently 60 physical therapists employed in the region, each navigating a cost-of-living index of 94.398, which indicates a lower-than-average cost environment relative to the national average. This aspect significantly affects take-home purchasing power for those in the profession. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, like Athletico and ATI, commonly offer competitive pay, though narratives of higher compensation often emerge from hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings and skilled nursing facilities. The variability in salaries can stem from factors such as productivity metrics, specialization certifications (such as OCS or SCS), clinic ownership stakes, and the distinction between cash-pay versus insurance models in practice. For physical therapists in Elmira, maximizing pay may involve pursuing specialty certifications or seeking employment with higher-paying employers while consistently meeting or exceeding visit quotas to strengthen their compensation potential.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Elmira, NY in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Elmira?
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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.
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 $86,680 for physical therapistsin the Elmira metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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