Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Bristol, CT: $77,014 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Bristol, CT earns a median $77,014/year (≈ $37.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $71,375 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a physical therapist assistant in Bristol, Connecticut, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $77,014. This figure represents a competitive compensation level when compared to the national median of $70,247, reflecting a premium of 9.63%. Local practitioners can expect salaries ranging from around $51,230 at the lower end to upwards of $102,987 for those with substantial experience or specialized skills. These estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity illustrate a lucrative opportunity in Bristol’s healthcare sector, driven by increasing demand for physical therapy services and varying productivity expectations across different settings.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,506 | $33.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,014 | $37.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,496 | $43.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,987 | $49.52 |
Median Salary Position
9.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,757 (2026 est.). At $77,014, the local median is 9.63% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be above the median
How Bristol Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Bristol median: $77,014/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,635 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.63% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Bristol, CT earn a median of $77,014 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.63% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $77,635.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,014 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,375 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,453
2025 BLS Actual
$74,967
2026 Current Est.
$77,014
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,453 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,528 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,073 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,817 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,253 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,967 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,014 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,116 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,453 (2019) to $74,967 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,116 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,663 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,230 – $69,506 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,506 – $77,014 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,014 – $90,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,496 – $102,987 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Bristol
In Bristol, the job market for physical therapist assistants is relatively stable, with about 13 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 107.9, indicating expenses are slightly above the national average. This economic reality can influence take-home pay and purchasing power. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically provide the highest compensation among employers in Bristol, while skilled nursing facilities may offer lower wages due to the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. Physical therapist assistants seeking to maximize their earnings should consider focusing on settings with the best pay scales, improving productivity through efficient patient management, and pursuing additional certifications or training that could allow for higher compensation. Understanding the nuances of the local market will be crucial for new graduates and current professionals aiming to enhance their salaries in this competitive field.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Bristol, CT in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Bristol?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Bristol?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $74,967 for physical therapist assistantsin the Bristol metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bristol 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