Physical Therapist Salary in Oneonta, NY: $89,897 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Oneonta, NY earns a median $89,897/year (≈ $43.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Oneonta's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $77,564 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected median annual salary of $89,897 for physical therapists in Oneonta, NY, compensation trends reflect the dynamics of local healthcare demands. The salary range for these professionals spans from $74,467 at the 10th percentile to $112,165 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse pay scale driven largely by the volume of patient visits and productivity expectations. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026, highlight that while physical therapist pay in Oneonta falls 14.62% below the national median of $105,288, factors such as local market conditions and the cost of living heavily influence these figures. As physical therapists navigate their career paths in Oneonta, understanding these financial metrics becomes pivotal for informed employment choices.
About the Oneonta Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,467 | $35.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,279 | $38.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,897 | $43.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,790 | $49.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,165 | $53.92 |
Median Salary Position
14.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oneonta
In Oneonta, NY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,698 (2026 est.). At $89,897, the local median is 14.62% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oneonta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oneonta Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Oneonta median: $89,897/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oneonta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $96,353 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -14.62% less |
Physical Therapists in Oneonta, NY earn a median of $89,897 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.62% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.70% below the New York state average of $96,353.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oneonta has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oneonta, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,897 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,564 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,366
2025 BLS Actual
$87,739
2026 Current Est.
$89,897
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Oneonta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,366 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,707 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,135 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,739 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,897 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,109 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oneonta metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $76,366 (2019) to $87,739 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,109 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,743 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oneonta 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) | $74,467 – $79,279 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,279 – $89,897 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,897 – $103,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,790 – $112,165 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Oneonta
Employment opportunities in Oneonta currently support just five physical therapists, reflecting a smaller niche market for this profession. The local cost of living index of 115.9 indicates that while salaries may seem competitive, the purchasing power for residents can be somewhat constrained. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly private practices like ATI and Athletico, tend to offer compensation tied closely to patient volume and productivity metrics. Higher pay rates are often associated with roles in hospital inpatient rehab or skilled nursing facilities, where complexities in patient care can demand more specialized skills. Variations in compensation frequently relate to factors such as board certifications (like OCS or SCS), clinic ownership opportunities, and differing practice models between cash-pay and insurance-based services. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Oneonta, focusing on gaining additional certifications or considering travel PT positions could yield better financial outcomes in this unique market.
More salary data for Oneonta, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Oneonta, NY in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Oneonta?
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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 $87,739 for physical therapistsin the Oneonta 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
Salary data for Oneonta is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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