Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Manchester, CT: $78,293 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Manchester, CT earns a median $78,293/year (≈ $37.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $72,561 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The physical therapist assistant salary in Manchester, CT is projected to reach $78,293 in 2026, representing a competitive compensation level compared to the national median of $70,247. Interestingly, the salary for this role varies significantly, with the lower tenth percentile earning about $53,845 and the upper ninetieth percentile possibly making as much as $102,530. These figures are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, reflecting the impact of the recent adjustments in outpatient and skilled nursing facility (SNF) settings following the Medicare cuts. In this evolving job market, physical therapist assistants face a diverse range of opportunities that depend highly on the employment setting, which can greatly influence salary outcomes.
About the Manchester Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,845 | $25.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,525 | $32.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,293 | $37.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,458 | $43.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,530 | $49.29 |
Median Salary Position
11.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,685 (2026 est.). At $78,293, the local median is 11.45% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be above the median
How Manchester Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Manchester median: $78,293/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,671 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +11.45% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Manchester, CT earn a median of $78,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.80% above the Connecticut state average of $77,671.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,293 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,561 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,524
2025 BLS Actual
$76,212
2026 Current Est.
$78,293
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,616 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,187 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,959 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,419 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,348 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,212 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,293 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,430 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $65,524 (2019) to $76,212 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,430 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,906 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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) | $53,845 – $67,525 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,525 – $78,293 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,293 – $90,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,458 – $102,530 |
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 Manchester
Despite a relatively modest number of physical therapist assistants employed in the area—only 11—it’s essential to consider the local job market dynamics and the cost of living index, which stands at 107.9. This index indicates that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the greater living expenses can dampen the take-home purchasing power for PTAs. Employers in Manchester, including outpatient orthopedic clinics and local hospitals, typically offer the highest pay. Variations in compensation are largely driven by settings; for instance, hospital roles often pay more due to higher productivity expectations and supervisory requirements, while outpatient clinics can face challenges due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Manchester, CT, pursuing employment in higher-paying environments like hospital inpatient rehab, taking on weekend shifts, or considering advanced pathways like the PTA-to-DPT bridge can be strategic moves in this competitive field.
More salary data for Manchester, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Manchester?
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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 $76,212 for physical therapist assistantsin the Manchester 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 Manchester 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