Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Hamden, CT: $76,392 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Hamden, CT earns a median $76,392/year (≈ $36.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Hamden's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $70,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Hamden, Connecticut is projected at a robust $76,392, reflecting a noteworthy increase compared to national averages. This is a unique moment for PTAs as they face a dual reality in the post-Medicare landscape: many outpatient clinics are navigating the financial challenges imposed by cuts, while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are feeling the brunt of decreased reimbursement rates. Salaries for PTAs here range from $55,863 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $103,708 for those at the higher end (90th percentile), illustrating a diverse market conducive to strategic career planning. These projections stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, implying that the job market in Hamden benefits from the demand for quality rehabilitation services despite recent industry pressures.
About the Hamden Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,863 | $26.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,205 | $32.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,392 | $36.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,055 | $41.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,708 | $49.85 |
Median Salary Position
8.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hamden
In Hamden, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,845 (2026 est.). At $76,392, the local median is 8.75% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hamden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hamden Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Hamden median: $76,392/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hamden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,634 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.75% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Hamden, CT earn a median of $76,392 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.75% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.60% below the Connecticut state average of $77,634.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hamden has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hamden, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,392 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,799 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,933
2025 BLS Actual
$74,362
2026 Current Est.
$76,392
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hamden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,933 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,532 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,261 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,447 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,362 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,392 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,478 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hamden metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $63,933 (2019) to $74,362 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,478 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,545 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hamden 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) | $55,863 – $68,205 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,205 – $76,392 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,392 – $86,055 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,055 – $103,708 |
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 Hamden
In Hamden, the job market remains solid with only 13 employed physical therapist assistants, indicating both limited competition and potential opportunities for upward mobility. The cost of living is slightly above the national average, with an index of 107.9, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, take-home pay may be impacted by local living expenses. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer the most competitive pay for physical therapist assistants, often exceeding other settings like skilled nursing facilities. The disparity in salaries can largely be attributed to productivity expectations and the remaining influence of the 15% Medicare cut, which has pressured wages across the board. For PTAs looking to enhance their earnings in Hamden, pursuing advanced certifications, diversifying their skill set, or exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways may prove beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Hamden, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $74,362 for physical therapist assistantsin the Hamden 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 Hamden 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