Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in New London, CT: $76,930 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in New London, CT earns a median $76,930/year (≈ $36.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in New London's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $71,297 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In New London, CT, the landscape for physical therapist assistants has evolved significantly, particularly in the wake of Medicare cuts affecting service delivery models post-2022. With a projected median annual salary of $76,930 in 2026, local professionals find themselves earning above the national figure of $70,247, reflecting a regional adjustment to living expenses. The salary range spans from $57,620 at the 10th percentile to $98,619 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the disparity in pay driven by the settings in which PTAs work. Estimates grounded in 2025 BLS data show that this market's compensation reflects both the increased demand for outpatient services and the challenges presented by skilled nursing facilities post-reimbursement adjustments. Consequently, job seekers in New London should be attuned to the operational shifts within the healthcare framework, particularly as it impacts PTA roles.
About the New London Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,620 | $27.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,642 | $33.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,930 | $36.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,086 | $42.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,619 | $47.41 |
Median Salary Position
9.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New London
In New London, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,999 (2026 est.). At $76,930, the local median is 9.51% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New London: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New London Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
New London median: $76,930/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New London Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,629 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.51% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in New London, CT earn a median of $76,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.51% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.90% below the Connecticut state average of $77,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New London has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New London, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,930 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,297 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,384
2025 BLS Actual
$74,886
2026 Current Est.
$76,930
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in New London (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,384 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,457 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,001 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,177 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,824 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,930 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New London metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,384 (2019) to $74,886 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,647 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New London 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) | $57,620 – $69,642 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,642 – $76,930 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,930 – $88,086 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,086 – $98,619 |
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 New London
The local job market supports a modest cohort of five physical therapist assistants, evidencing a selective demand in New London. With a cost of living index of 107.9, professionals must consider how their salaries translate into purchasing power in a market that generally costs more than the national average. Employment opportunities among a variety of settings can produce different pay scales, where outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer higher compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities, which have taken hits due to the 15% Medicare reduction. The pay spectrum, with lower-tier salaries often found in SNFs, emphasizes the need for PTAs to prioritize outpatient settings or specialize in areas like pediatric care for better pay prospects. For those entering the field, maximizing income may hinge on acquiring additional certification or pursuing PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, thereby opening avenues for higher compensation and demand in various healthcare environments within New London.
More salary data for New London, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in New London, CT in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in New London?
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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 $74,886 for physical therapist assistantsin the New London 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 New London 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