Physical Therapist Salary in Syracuse, NY: $94,345 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Syracuse, NY earns a median $94,345/year (≈ $45.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Syracuse's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $98,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapists in Syracuse, NY, can anticipate a median annual salary of $94,345 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation framework for the region. With a salary range spanning from $68,945 at the lower tenth percentile to $124,725 at the upper ninety percentile, these figures reveal the opportunities available in the local job market. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the growing trend toward cash-pay models, particularly among sports and orthopedic specialists, which may contribute to more lucrative positions at the high end of the pay scale. Given Syracuse's unique labor market dynamics, including a steady influx of patients seeking specialized care, this environment could very well be advantageous for physical therapists looking to maximize their earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,945 | $33.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,017 | $37.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,345 | $45.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,444 | $54.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,725 | $59.96 |
Median Salary Position
10.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
In Syracuse, NY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,780 (2026 est.). At $94,345, the local median is 10.39% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Syracuse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Syracuse Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Syracuse median: $94,345/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Syracuse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $96,369 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.39% less |
Physical Therapists in Syracuse, NY earn a median of $94,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.39% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% below the New York state average of $96,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Syracuse has a cost of living 4.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Syracuse, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.742 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $94,345 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,541 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,860
2025 BLS Actual
$92,080
2026 Current Est.
$94,345
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,345 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,666 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Syracuse metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 23.0% from $74,860 (2019) to $92,080 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,806 (29.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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) | $68,945 – $79,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,017 – $94,345 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,345 – $113,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,444 – $124,725 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Syracuse
Syracuse employs around 700 physical therapists, a number that signifies a robust local healthcare sector. The cost of living index in Syracuse, measured at 95.742, suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national median, the purchasing power remains favorable for residents. Employers in the area include outpatient orthopedic clinics, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities, each offering different salary scales. Generally, outpatient clinics, especially chains like ATI or Athletico, tend to have lower base pay compared to hospital systems; however, they often provide performance bonuses that can enhance overall earnings. Factors influencing the variance in salaries include productivity expectations, opportunities for board certification stipends, equity options through clinic ownership, and the choice between cash-pay or insurance models. For physical therapists aiming to improve their financial prospects within Syracuse, pursuing specialized certifications such as OCS or SCS, excelling in environments that reward productivity, or even considering travel PT positions could be prudent strategies.
More salary data for Syracuse, 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 $92,080 for physical therapistsin the Syracuse 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