Physical Therapist Salary in Rochester, NY
Physical Therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $83,070 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $63,381 take-home, or $5,282 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,445
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,150
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,205
- New York income tax$3,889
- Take-home pay$63,381
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.40% state
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,070 | $31.76 | $52,296 | $4,358 |
| 25th percentile | $76,810 | $36.93 | $59,315 | $4,943 |
| Median (50th) | $83,070 | $39.94 | $63,381 | $5,282 |
| 75th percentile | $97,700 | $46.97 | $72,838 | $6,070 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $112,740 | $54.20 | $82,531 | $6,878 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $83,070 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $63,381 take-home pay has the buying power of $65,318 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rochester, NY has 1.3× the national concentration of physical therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #104 of 104 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McAllen, TX | $103,980 | $81,980 | $95,442 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,480 | $90,774 | $90,579 |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $102,190 | $80,721 | $89,777 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $106,010 | $83,408 | $88,061 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $104,750 | $80,423 | $87,938 |
| 6 | Jackson, MS | $103,000 | $77,903 | $87,484 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $139,000 | $95,768 | $86,728 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $100,000 | $79,180 | $85,898 |
| 104 | Rochester, NY | $83,070 | $63,381 | $65,318 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 104 metros →
Physical Therapist salaries elsewhere in New York
- Buffalo, NY — $95,800
- Syracuse, NY — $92,080
- Albany, NY — $94,020
- New York, NY — $107,650
- Kiryas Joel, NY — $97,110
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Rochester, NY?
The median physical therapist salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $83,070 a year, or about $39.94 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $76,810 and $97,700.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $83,070 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $63,381 a year ($5,282 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,889 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $65,318 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #104 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
- Physicians, All Other — $214,550
- Pharmacist — $136,310
- Physician Assistant — $130,430
- Nurse Practitioner — $128,110
- Dental Hygienist — $93,650
- Registered Nurse — $86,570
- Occupational Therapist — $81,750
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $81,290
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $80,220
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $76,390
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $62,060
- Medical Records Specialist — $49,010