Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Norwalk, CT: $77,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Norwalk, CT earns a median $77,259/year (≈ $37.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Norwalk's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $71,602 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Norwalk, Connecticut, can expect a median annual salary of $77,259, outpacing the national median of $70,247 by nearly 10%. The salary range for this role varies significantly, from $51,710 at the lower end to $103,809 at the upper end. These projections are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, reflecting factors unique to the local job market. As the demand for rehabilitation services continues to grow in Norwalk, consistent productivity expectations and the ability to manage a high number of patient visits per day will play a crucial role in shaping compensation packages for physical therapist assistants.
About the Norwalk Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,710 | $24.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,389 | $31.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,259 | $37.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,022 | $43.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,809 | $49.91 |
Median Salary Position
9.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norwalk
In Norwalk, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,099 (2026 est.). At $77,259, the local median is 9.98% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Norwalk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Norwalk Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Norwalk median: $77,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norwalk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,647 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +9.98% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Norwalk, CT earn a median of $77,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.98% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.50% below the Connecticut state average of $77,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norwalk has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Norwalk, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,259 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,602 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,659
2025 BLS Actual
$75,206
2026 Current Est.
$77,259
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Norwalk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,659 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,737 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,287 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,036 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,477 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,314 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,206 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,368 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norwalk metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $64,659 (2019) to $75,206 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,368 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,709 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norwalk 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) | $51,710 – $65,389 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,389 – $77,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,259 – $91,022 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,022 – $103,809 |
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 Norwalk
The local job market for physical therapist assistants shows promise, with 21 professionals currently employed in the area. Given that Norwalk has a cost-of-living index of 107.9, which is slightly above the national average, take-home purchasing power is an important consideration. Outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer the highest salaries among employers in Norwalk, followed by skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab, where Medicare reimbursement policies and the recent cuts play a heavy role in salary adjustments. Factors such as productivity metrics, supervision requirements from licensed physical therapists, and weekend or PRN shifts also contribute to income variability. For those eager to maximize their pay in this market, focusing on the outpatient sector and pursuing additional certifications or responsibilities can enhance professional value and compensation prospects.
More salary data for Norwalk, 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 $75,206 for physical therapist assistantsin the Norwalk 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 Norwalk 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