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Physical Therapist Assistant in New York: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

New York employs 3,620 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $64,100 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New York licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in New York (May 2025)

New York median pay: $64,100 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $46,350
Experienced (75th percentile): $75,500
Top earners (90th percentile): $81,000
Employed in New York: 3,620
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major New York markets:

New York City metro: $75,620 (3,220 employed)
Hudson Valley: $66,320 (150 employed)
Albany: $64,050 (120 employed)
Syracuse: $61,010 (130 employed)
Rochester: $59,190 (210 employed)
Buffalo: $56,630 (340 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New York

Prices in New York run about 8% above the national average (cost-of-living index 107.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,100 median is worth closer to $59,407 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New York (2024–2034)

New York is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +19.9%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 880 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New York License and Certification Requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant certification (NYSED) — regulated by the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions.

Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).
Pass the NPTE-PTA national exam.
Apply through NYSED's Office of the Professions ($103).

Official requirements: NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions →

Training in New York

SUNY community colleges across the state run CAPTE-accredited PTA programs at low cost. Outpatient, home health, and the large rehab networks (Helen Hayes, Burke) hire steadily; home health demand is strongest in the NYC boroughs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New York include:

Access Careers — Associate
Allen School-Jamaica — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Albany — Associate
Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in New York

Real New York outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Center for Disability Services, Inc 9 — Albany
NY Homeside Rehab Pt Ot Slp PLLC — Brooklyn
United Cerebral Palsy of New York City Inc — Brooklyn
Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center — Buffalo
Speech Language Pathology — Chappaqua
Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care — Elmsford

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in New York?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in New York is $64,100 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $46,350, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $81,000. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in New York?

Physical Therapist Assistant certification (NYSED), overseen by the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions. Complete a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree program (~2 years).

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in New York?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Which New York metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?

Among New York metro areas, New York City metro leads at $75,620, followed by Hudson Valley ($66,320), Albany ($64,050). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in New York?

Real New York options include Access Careers, Allen School-Jamaica, Bryant & Stratton College-Albany. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in New York?

New York projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +19.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 880 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), New York statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the NYS Education Department — Office of the Professions (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET New York wages · New York licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.