Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Connecticut: $77,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $77,428/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,759 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Manchester ($76,212), Bridgeport ($76,190), New Haven ($76,140).
In Connecticut, the projected average median salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is $77,428, surpassing the national median of $70,247 by 10.2%. The highest paying city is Manchester, with an average salary of $78,293, while the lowest is Cheshire at $74,121, resulting in a salary difference of $4,172. This variation can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the local economic landscape. Connecticut has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that shape the professional environment. Graduates must obtain a license to practice, ensuring a standard level of competency across the state. The demand for physical therapist assistants is supported by an aging population and increasing awareness of rehabilitation services, contributing to an annual growth rate of 2.73% in job opportunities. With a total of 1,150 physical therapist assistants employed across 29 metro areas, the job market in Connecticut shows sustained strength and a positive outlook for the coming years. Cities like Bridgeport ($78,270), New Haven ($78,219), Shelton ($78,127), and Hartford ($77,633) further illustrate the salary potential within the state, affirming the value of pursuing a career in this field.
Connecticut Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $41,513 (lowest entry-level) to $103,809 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut physical therapist assistants earn 10.22% more than the national median (+$7,181/year difference).
Connecticut Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Connecticut range from $58,089 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $88,576 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,428. The Connecticut median is $7,181 above the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $37.23/hr. Approximately 1,150 physical therapist assistants are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,778
2025 BLS Actual
$75,370
2026 Current Est.
$77,428
2019–2027 Growth
+19.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,778 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,701 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,794 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,142 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 12.9% from $66,778 (2019) to $75,370 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,764 (19.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Connecticut
Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cheshire | $74,121 |
| Enfield | $74,286 |
| Naugatuck | $74,391 |
| Glastonbury | $74,922 |
| Vernon | $74,946 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich | $77,479 | 100.445 | $77,136 |
| Waterbury | $76,544 | 99.778 | $76,714 |
| Hartford | $77,633 | 102.746 | $75,558 |
| New Haven | $78,219 | 104.559 | $74,808 |
| Bridgeport | $78,270 | 106.864 | $73,243 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $58,089 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,428 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $88,576 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 29 Cities in Connecticut
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester | $78,293 |
| 2 | Bridgeport | $78,270 |
| 3 | New Haven | $78,219 |
| 4 | Shelton | $78,127 |
| 5 | Hartford | $77,633 |
| 6 | Norwich | $77,479 |
| 7 | Norwalk | $77,259 |
| 8 | Stamford | $77,221 |
| 9 | Bristol | $77,014 |
| 10 | New London | $76,930 |
| 11 | Stratford | $76,903 |
| 12 | Middletown | $76,807 |
| 13 | Meriden | $76,645 |
| 14 | Danbury | $76,632 |
| 15 | Waterbury | $76,544 |
| 16 | Hamden | $76,392 |
| 17 | Fairfield | $76,338 |
| 18 | East Hartford | $76,301 |
| 19 | New Britain | $76,251 |
| 20 | Milford | $75,907 |
| 21 | West Haven | $75,876 |
| 22 | West Hartford | $75,766 |
| 23 | Torrington | $75,506 |
| 24 | Groton | $75,253 |
| 25 | Vernon | $74,946 |
| 26 | Glastonbury | $74,922 |
| 27 | Naugatuck | $74,391 |
| 28 | Enfield | $74,286 |
| 29 | Cheshire | $74,121 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Connecticut cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Connecticut?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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