Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Shelton, CT: $78,127 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Shelton, CT earns a median $78,127/year (≈ $37.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Shelton's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $72,407 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the physical therapist assistant salary in Shelton is projected to reach a median of $78,127, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape in CT. The salary range for this role spans from $55,981 at the 10th percentile to as much as $96,782 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and take into account regional cost adjustments. Compared to the national median annual salary of $70,247, the income for physical therapist assistants in Shelton exceeds the national average by 11.22%, indicating a robust demand for PTAs in the region. The consistent growth rate of 2.73% prepares the local workforce for positive developments in this field.
About the Shelton Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,981 | $26.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,607 | $32.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,127 | $37.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,087 | $42.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,782 | $46.53 |
Median Salary Position
11.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelton
In Shelton, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,801 (2026 est.). At $78,127, the local median is 11.22% above the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelton: You'd be above the median
How Shelton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Shelton median: $78,127/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,661 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +11.22% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Shelton, CT earn a median of $78,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.22% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.60% above the Connecticut state average of $77,661.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shelton has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shelton, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,127 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,407 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,385
2025 BLS Actual
$76,051
2026 Current Est.
$78,127
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Shelton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,385 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,475 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,916 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,127 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,260 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $65,385 (2019) to $76,051 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,875 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shelton 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) | $55,981 – $68,607 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,607 – $78,127 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,127 – $89,087 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,087 – $96,782 |
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 Shelton
The local job market for physical therapist assistants in Shelton currently employs only 10 professionals, suggesting a relatively small yet focused community within this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 107.9, the purchasing power for PTAs may require strategic financial planning, ensuring individuals can afford the higher living expenses typical of the region. Among the best-paying employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities tend to offer superior compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), where the Medicare 15% cut has significantly affected salaries. Variations in pay across settings typically stem from differing productivity expectations, supervision requirements, and the demand for flexibility, such as weekend or PRN work. For individuals entering the market, seeking employment directly within high-performing outpatient or inpatient facilities and exploring PTA-to-DPT bridge programs may serve as effective strategies to maximize earning potential in Shelton, CT.
More salary data for Shelton, 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 $76,051 for physical therapist assistantsin the Shelton 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 Shelton 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