Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Cheshire, CT: $35.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Cheshire, CT runs $35.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,121 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Cheshire's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.9, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,475 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cheshire, Connecticut, a physical therapist assistant earns a median hourly rate of $35.64, which notably exceeds the national median of $33.77. This rate opens various opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers in diverse settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health environments. For those working three days a week, this remuneration allows for a substantial income, while entry-level positions may start at around $26.33 per hour, scaling up to $45.09 for highly experienced practitioners. It’s essential to recognize that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary data projected for 2026, reflecting the increasingly competitive nature of the field in Cheshire, where demand for rehabilitation services continues to grow.
About the Cheshire Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.33 | $210.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.89 | $255.10 |
| Median (P50) | $35.64 | $285.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.43 | $323.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.09 | $360.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cheshire
Based on $35.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.64/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cheshire, CT can expect to earn approximately $74,125 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,764. With a cost-of-living index of 107.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cheshire.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cheshire
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,425.48 | $6,177 | $74,125 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $855.29 | $3,706 | $44,475 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.19 | $2,471 | $29,650 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Cheshire) | $35.64 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cheshire, CT earn a median of $74,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.51% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 4.50% below the Connecticut state average of $77,613.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.64/hr = $44,475/year (purchasing power: $41,219).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,125/year (purchasing power: $68,698).
CoL index: 107.9 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cheshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Cheshire grew 16.3% from $29.82/hr (2019) to $34.69/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cheshire 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Cheshire
Examining the earning potential from a part-time perspective reveals that a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $44,632 annually, compared to those in full-time roles. For per-diem workers, pay in Cheshire varies; many bill between $32 and $48 per hour, with travel contracts offering $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. Furthermore, hourly rates can significantly differ based on the employer type, with outpatient clinics often providing competitive salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, where recent Medicare cuts have resulted in lower PTA wages. Some professionals opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits, while others prioritize higher hourly wages without health insurance. Negotiation is key in this context; understanding local industry standards and leveraging your qualifications can yield better compensation in this evolving landscape for physical therapist assistants in CT.
More salary data for Cheshire, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Cheshire in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Cheshire?
Are physical therapist assistants in Cheshire paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Cheshire?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cheshire?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Connecticut
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Cheshire. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cheshire 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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov