Physical Therapist Salary in Niagara Falls, NY: $94,905 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Niagara Falls, NY earns a median $94,905/year (≈ $45.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Niagara Falls's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $81,885 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Niagara Falls, NY, are anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $94,905, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $105,288, reflecting a difference of nearly 10%. The projected salary range extends from $72,338 at the 10th percentile to $116,963 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant variability in earnings based on experience, setting, and productivity levels. These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, adjusted to account for regional economic conditions. The job market in Niagara Falls is shaped by the influx of patients seeking therapy, where therapists are often under pressure to maximize visits per day, inevitably affecting their hourly compensation and overall job satisfaction.
About the Niagara Falls Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,338 | $34.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,255 | $38.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,905 | $45.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,408 | $52.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,963 | $56.23 |
Median Salary Position
9.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Niagara Falls
In Niagara Falls, NY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,625 (2026 est.). At $94,905, the local median is 9.86% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Niagara Falls: You'd be above the median
How Niagara Falls Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Niagara Falls median: $94,905/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Niagara Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $96,350 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -9.86% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Niagara Falls has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Niagara Falls, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,905 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,885 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,620
2025 BLS Actual
$92,626
2026 Current Est.
$94,905
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,035 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,877 | Actual |
| 2024 | $116,465 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,626 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,905 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Niagara Falls metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $80,620 (2019) to $92,626 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,619 (20.61%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,338 – $79,255 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,255 – $94,905 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,905 – $108,408 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,408 – $116,963 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Niagara Falls
With only 10 physical therapists employed in the Niagara Falls area, competition for positions is relatively limited. The cost of living index stands at 115.9, indicating that while salaries may appear competitive, the purchasing power for residents is somewhat diminished compared to the national average. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those operated by chains like ATI and Athletico, tend to offer salaries at the lower end of the scale but may include incentives tied to productivity. Conversely, hospital systems often provide more lucrative pay and benefits, especially for therapists with advanced board certifications such as OCS or SCS. Factors influencing salary disparities include the pressure to meet productivity quotas, clinic ownership stakes, and the evolving trend toward cash-pay models versus insurance-based practices. To maximize earnings in this area, therapists should consider further specialization and seek opportunities in higher-paying settings, ensuring alignment with the realities of the local market.
More salary data for Niagara Falls, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Niagara Falls?
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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 $92,626 for physical therapistsin the Niagara Falls 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
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