Physical Therapist Salary in Ithaca, NY: $103,782 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Ithaca, NY earns a median $103,782/year (≈ $49.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $100,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Ithaca, New York, offers physical therapists a competitive median annual salary of $103,782 in 2026, slightly trailing the national median by 1.43%. The salary range spans from $77,716 at the 10th percentile to $142,717 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse employment settings and work demands. This salary data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates that physical therapists in Ithaca who are employed in outpatient clinics may encounter different compensation levels compared to those in hospital settings or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The outpatient chains tend to offer base salaries that may be lower, but they can include productivity bonuses that create earning potential aligned with clinic performance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,716 | $37.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,954 | $38.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,782 | $49.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,548 | $58.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,717 | $68.62 |
Median Salary Position
1.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,001 (2026 est.). At $103,782, the local median is 1.43% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ithaca Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $103,782/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $96,362 | +7.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.43% less |
Physical Therapists in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $103,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.43% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.70% above the New York state average of $96,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,782 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,450 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,460
2025 BLS Actual
$101,290
2026 Current Est.
$103,782
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Ithaca (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,782 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,335 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 19.9% from $84,460 (2019) to $101,290 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,875 (25.90%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $77,716 – $80,954 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,954 – $103,782 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,782 – $121,548 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,548 – $142,717 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Ithaca
The local job market comprises about 110 physical therapists, suggesting a concentrated demand for these health professionals in Ithaca. While the cost-of-living index is slightly above the national average at 103.317, it does affect the purchasing power of physical therapist pay in Ithaca, NY. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics may pay less than hospitals, yet many therapists can increase their earnings through board certifications like OCS or SCS, which come with stipends. Factors influencing the pay spread include productivity expectations—such as the number of visits per day—and clinic ownership opportunities that can enhance financial benefits. To maximize earnings in this market, physical therapists should consider pursuing specialization certifications, viewing opportunities in high-demand settings, and negotiating contracts that reflect their skills and productivity.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $101,290 for physical therapistsin the Ithaca 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