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Physical Therapist Assistants Salary in New York: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Physical Therapist Assistants salary really buy you in New York?

New York is 7.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$64,100
Median annual (2025)
-7.1%
Real Purchasing Power
$59,572
COL-adjusted (RPP=107.6)

New York Cost of Living Index

New York's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 107.6, meaning prices are 7.6% higher the national average. A Physical Therapist Assistants earning $64,100 in New York has the equivalent purchasing power of $59,572 in an average-cost US state.

NY: 107.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for New York's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $46,350 $43,076 $-3,273
25th Percentile (P25) $57,430 $53,373 $-4,056
Median (P50) $64,100 $59,572 $-4,527
75th Percentile (P75) $75,500 $70,167 $-5,332
90th Percentile (P90) $81,000 $75,278 $-5,721
Key Insight

While $64,100 sounds high, New York's elevated cost of living erases 7% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $59,572. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

New York Is a High-Cost State

RPP 107.6

New York's RPP of 107.6 puts it 7.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Physical Therapist Assistants needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-7.1%

After applying New York's RPP, the $64,100 median salary translates to $59,572 in real terms — a 7.1% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Physical Therapist Assistants.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#49 / 51

New York ranks #49 of 51 — bottom quartile for Physical Therapist Assistants real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Physical Therapist Assistants (After Cost of Living)

Where does Physical Therapist Assistants salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Texas
$80,000
RPP 97.5
2. Nevada
$78,340
RPP 96.4
$76,132
RPP 98.0
4. Alaska
$76,117
RPP 102.0
5. Georgia
$75,991
RPP 95.8
$75,320
RPP 93.6
$74,503
RPP 86.6
$73,971
RPP 105.0
$73,875
RPP 112.5
$72,632
RPP 109.4

New York ranks #49 out of 51 states for Physical Therapist Assistants after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Physical Therapist Assistants take-home pay in New York after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Physical Therapist Assistants in New York after cost of living?

A Physical Therapist Assistants in New York earns a median salary of $64,100 per year. After adjusting for New York's cost of living (RPP=107.6), the real purchasing power is $59,572 — a -7.1% difference.

Is New York expensive to live in?

New York's cost of living is 7.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for New York is 107.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Physical Therapist Assistants in New York: $64,100 x (100 / 107.6) = $59,572. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in New York offset the salary?

Partially — a Physical Therapist Assistants's nominal salary of $64,100 in New York has 7.1% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $59,572. However, New York may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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