PT Assistant Salary

Bridgeport vs Norwich: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Norwich, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$78,270
$37.63/hr
Norwich, CT
$77,479
$37.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTNorwich, CT
Median Salary$78,270$77,479
Hourly Rate$37.63$37.25
Entry Level (P10)$64,463$41,513
25th Percentile$77,006$69,055
75th Percentile$83,889$79,523
Top Earner (P90)$90,125$83,211
Total Employed24060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($78,270) and Norwich ($77,479) physical therapist assistant salaries.BridgeportNorwichMedian Salary$78,270$77,479Entry Level (P10)$64,463$41,513Top Earner (P90)$90,125$83,211US Median $70,247

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Norwich.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Norwich is $791 (1.02%). Bridgeport's median is +11.42% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $25,662,Norwich spans $41,698. Norwich has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$64,463
P25$77,006
Median$78,270
P75$83,889
P90 (Top)$90,125
Norwich
P10 (Entry)$41,513
P25$69,055
Median$77,479
P75$79,523
P90 (Top)$83,211

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Norwich ($77,136 effective) pays 5.32% more than Bridgeport ($73,243 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $78,270
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $73,243
Norwich
Nominal: $77,479
CoL Index: 100.445
Adjusted: $77,136

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,270/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,125)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Norwich if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,136)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Bridgeport grew 12.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.5% growth in Norwich over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+12.1%

$67,980 (2019) → $76,190 (2025)

Norwich, CT

+14.5%

$65,860 (2019) → $75,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Bridgeport or Norwich?

Bridgeport has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $78,270/year, compared to Norwich at $77,479/year — a difference of $791 (1.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Norwich?

Bridgeport physical therapist assistants earn $37.63/hr while Norwich hygienists earn $37.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Norwich as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Norwich. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $73,243, Norwich = $77,136), job availability (240 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Bridgeport vs Norwich?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $64,463 in Bridgeport and $41,513 in Norwich. The Bridgeport area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov