Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Hartford, CT: $77,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Hartford, CT earns a median $77,633/year (≈ $37.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Hartford's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.7), that paycheck buys what $75,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Hartford, CT, are expected to command a median annual salary of $77,633, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $70,247. This salary landscape is characterized by a range from $65,983 at the lower end (P10) to $84,156 at the upper end (P90). Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the increase in pay can be attributed to changes in the outpatient sector dynamics following the 15% Medicare cut to PTA services. The local job market shows a healthy demand, driven largely by shifts in service settings, particularly with outpatient clinics adjusting to new reimbursement models while maintaining productivity standards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,983 | $31.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,336 | $34.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,633 | $37.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,701 | $39.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,156 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
10.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hartford
In Hartford, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,173 (2026 est.). At $77,633, the local median is 10.51% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Hartford: You'd be above the median
How Hartford Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Hartford median: $77,633/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hartford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $70,247 | +10.51% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Hartford, CT earn a median of $77,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.51% higher than the national median of $70,247.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hartford has a cost of living 2.75% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hartford, CT has a cost-of-living index of 102.746 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,633 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,558 — a 2.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,830
2025 BLS Actual
$75,570
2026 Current Est.
$77,633
2019–2027 Growth
+14.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Hartford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hartford metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 8.2% from $69,830 (2019) to $75,570 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,752 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,922 (14.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hartford 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) | $65,983 – $71,336 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,336 – $77,633 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,633 – $81,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,701 – $84,156 |
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 Hartford
With approximately 270 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Hartford, the city's distinct cost of living index of 102.746 suggests that while salaries are robust, take-home purchasing power is an essential consideration. Outpatient orthopedic clinics often lead the way in compensation, but skilled nursing facilities may offer competitive packages, albeit impacted by the Medicare cuts. Factors like employment settings, productivity expectations, and weekend or PRN premiums create a substantial pay variance. To maximize earnings in this market, PTAs may benefit from diversifying their skills, exploring opportunities in high-paying specialties, or pursuing further education pathways, such as transitioning to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program through various PTA-to-DPT bridge programs.
More salary data for Hartford, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Hartford?
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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 $75,570 for physical therapist assistantsin the Hartford 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
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