Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $56,630 a year ($27.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,520 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 12% lower than the New York statewide median of $64,100. There are 0.63 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,580 | $22.40 |
| 25th percentile | $50,260 | $24.17 |
| Median | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| 75th percentile | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| Average (mean) | $57,000 | $27.41 |
Half of physical therapist assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,719.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,359.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,178.08 |
| Weekly | $1,089.04 |
| Hourly | $27.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,630 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $75,620 | 3,220 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $66,320 | 150 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $64,050 | 120 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $61,740 | 30 |
| Syracuse, NY | $61,010 | 130 |
| Binghamton, NY | $60,280 | 80 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $59,970 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $59,190 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,870 | $17.25 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Medical Assistant | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| Phlebotomist | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $47,050 | $22.62 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $50,140 | $24.11 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| Orderly | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,830 | $29.73 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist assistant make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $56,630 a year, or $27.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $66,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $66,520 a year. The top 25% earn $62,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,580 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $50,260 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 340 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.