Healthcare Buffalo, NY Pop. 278,349

Physical Therapist Salary in Buffalo, New York

The median physical therapist salary in Buffalo, NY is $94,788 per year, which is 3% below the national median and 23.6% below the New York state average.

City Median
$94,788
vs State Avg
$-29,316
vs National
$-2,932
Cost of Living
92%

Physical Therapist Pay in Buffalo: What to Expect (2026)

Buffalo offers a median physical therapist salary of $94,788, which is $29,316 below the New York state average of $124,104. Compared to the national median of $97,720, Buffalo pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Buffalo's cost of living is 92% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for physical therapists in Buffalo spans from $64,796 at the 10th percentile to $126,294 at the 90th percentile — a $61,498 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,960, while senior physical therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,160. With a population of 278,349, Buffalo is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Physical Therapist Salary in Buffalo by Experience

In Buffalo, an entry-level physical therapist earns around $65,960, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,160 per year. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,960
$-2,040 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$95,060
$-2,940 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,160
$-3,840 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Buffalo, NY

Percentile Buffalo
10th Percentile $64,796
25th Percentile $77,794
Median (50th) $94,788
75th Percentile $112,908
90th Percentile $126,294

Physical Therapist Salary in Other New York Cities

New York City, NY
$187,622
Pop. 8,336,817
Yonkers, NY
$136,808
Pop. 211,569
Albany, NY
$100,652
Pop. 99,224
Rochester, NY
$92,834
Pop. 211,328

How to Become a Physical Therapist in Buffalo

Education

Most physical therapist positions require a doctoral degree. Buffalo and the surrounding New York area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Manual TherapyExercise PrescriptionPatient AssessmentRehabilitationAnatomyDocumentation

Job Outlook

Nationally, physical therapist employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Buffalo may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physical Therapist Jobs in Buffalo

Browse open physical therapist positions in Buffalo, NY:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physical Therapist Salary in Buffalo

How much does a Physical Therapist make in Buffalo, NY? ▼
The median physical therapist salary in Buffalo, New York is $94,788 per year, which is 3% below the national median of $97,720. Salaries range from $64,796 (10th percentile) to $126,294 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physical Therapist make per hour in Buffalo? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $94,788, a physical therapist in Buffalo earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Buffalo compare to the New York state average for physical therapist pay? ▼
Buffalo's median physical therapist salary of $94,788 is 23.6% below the New York state average of $124,104. The local cost of living index is 92% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Buffalo, NY? ▼
Buffalo has a cost of living index of 92% compared to the national average. This means a physical therapist salary of $94,788 in Buffalo has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physical therapist in Buffalo? ▼
Most physical therapist positions in Buffalo require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Manual Therapy, Exercise Prescription, Patient Assessment, Rehabilitation. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.