Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Meriden, CT: $76,645 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Meriden, CT earns a median $76,645/year (≈ $36.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Meriden's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $71,033 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Meriden, Connecticut, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is $76,645, reflecting a noteworthy increase compared to the national median of $70,247. This local figure indicates a competitive job market, particularly in a landscape that has seen significant shifts due to recent Medicare cuts affecting reimbursement rates. The salary range for this profession in Meriden spans from $56,528 at the 10th percentile to $97,085 at the 90th percentile, underscoring the diverse levels of compensation available based on experience and workplace setting. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments suggest that physical therapist assistant pay in Meriden exceeds the national average by approximately 9.11%, resulting from local market dynamics and the predominance of outpatient vs. skilled nursing facility roles.
About the Meriden Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,528 | $27.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,732 | $33.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,645 | $36.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,582 | $41.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,085 | $46.68 |
Median Salary Position
9.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meriden
In Meriden, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,557 (2026 est.). At $76,645, the local median is 9.11% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Meriden: You'd be above the median
How Meriden Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Meriden median: $76,645/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meriden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,654 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.11% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Meriden, CT earn a median of $76,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.11% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% below the Connecticut state average of $77,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meriden has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meriden, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,645 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,033 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,145
2025 BLS Actual
$74,608
2026 Current Est.
$76,645
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Meriden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,145 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,214 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,752 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,487 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,916 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,608 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,645 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,737 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meriden metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,145 (2019) to $74,608 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,592 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meriden 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) | $56,528 – $68,732 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,732 – $76,645 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,645 – $86,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,582 – $97,085 |
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 Meriden
With only 12 physical therapist assistants employed in the area, Meriden's job market is relatively niche, yet promising, particularly given the cost of living index of 107.9. This index indicates that residents pay about 7.9% more for goods and services than the national average, which may impact take-home purchasing power. Employers offering the highest pay include outpatient orthopedic clinics and specialized hospital inpatient rehab facilities, which often have the budget to accommodate increased wages. The disparity in salary can largely be attributed to the productivity expectations and supervision requirements linked to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has particularly affected services in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. For those looking to maximize earnings in Meriden, seeking positions in hospital settings or specialized outpatient practices, as well as pursuing ongoing education or PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, can significantly enhance career prospects and salary potential.
More salary data for Meriden, 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 $74,608 for physical therapist assistantsin the Meriden 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 Meriden 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