Physical Therapist Salary in Schenectady, NY: $94,241 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Schenectady, NY earns a median $94,241/year (≈ $45.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Schenectady's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $81,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Schenectady, New York, the projected annual compensation for physical therapists is competitive, with a median salary estimated at $94,241 for 2026. This figure trails the national median by 10.49%, with local salaries ranging from $71,583 at the 10th percentile to $122,361 at the 90th percentile. The data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional price levels, reflects the hiring pressures that physical therapists face, especially regarding productivity expectations. The high volume of visits per day can significantly influence hourly compensation, making efficiency in patient care alongside effective management of session loads essential to achieving the upper salary brackets in the local job market.
About the Schenectady Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($102,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,583 | $34.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,241 | $45.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,649 | $54.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,361 | $58.82 |
Median Salary Position
10.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Schenectady
In Schenectady, NY, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,778 (2026 est.). At $94,241, the local median is 10.49% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Schenectady: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Schenectady Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Schenectady median: $94,241/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Schenectady Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $96,361 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.49% less |
Physical Therapists in Schenectady, NY earn a median of $94,241 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.49% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.20% below the New York state average of $96,361.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Schenectady has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Schenectady, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $94,241 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,312 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,056
2025 BLS Actual
$91,978
2026 Current Est.
$94,241
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Schenectady (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,056 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,461 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,587 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,467 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,494 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,978 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,241 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,559 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Schenectady metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $80,056 (2019) to $91,978 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,503 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Schenectady 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) | $71,583 – $78,940 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,940 – $94,241 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,241 – $112,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,649 – $122,361 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Schenectady
In Schenectady, there are currently 16 physical therapists employed, indicating a small but dedicated professional community. The cost of living index sits at 115.9, slightly above the national average, which impacts the real value of take-home pay for healthcare professionals in the area. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico and ATI tend to offer competitive pay, but hospital settings may provide higher salary opportunities coupled with the advantages of benefits. Variability in pay scales emerges from factors such as operational productivity standards, extra stipends for board certifications like OCS or SCS, and the growing trend toward cash-pay arrangements compared to traditional insurance models. To maximize earnings in Schenectady, therapists should consider enhancing their qualifications, aiming for productivity incentives, and exploring opportunities at facility types that best accommodate patient loads and treatment approaches.
More salary data for Schenectady, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Schenectady, NY in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Schenectady?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Schenectady?
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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 $91,978 for physical therapistsin the Schenectady 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 Schenectady 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