Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Rochester, NY
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $59,190 a year ($28.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,730 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 8% lower than the New York statewide median of $64,100. There are 0.43 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $59,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| 25th percentile | $56,510 | $27.17 |
| Median | $59,190 | $28.46 |
| 75th percentile | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,730 | $33.52 |
| Average (mean) | $59,320 | $28.52 |
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 | $4,932.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,466.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,276.54 |
| Weekly | $1,138.27 |
| Hourly | $28.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,190 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 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $56,630 | 340 |
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 Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,330 | $29.96 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $35,600 | $17.11 |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,050 | $19.26 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,710 | $20.05 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $43,540 | $20.93 |
| Phlebotomist | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| Orderly | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Massage Therapist | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $35,710 | $17.17 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, 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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Rochester, NY metro area is $59,190 a year, or $28.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $69,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $69,730 a year. The top 25% earn $62,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,600 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $56,510 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Rochester, NY?
About 210 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.