Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Waterbury, CT: $76,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Waterbury, CT earns a median $76,544/year (≈ $36.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $76,714 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapist assistant salaries in Waterbury, CT, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $76,544 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $70,247. The salary range is also significant, spanning from $64,884 at the 10th percentile to $83,283 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the productivity expectations that shape compensation in the region. With physical therapist assistants often required to manage a high volume of patient visits per day, effective compensation strategies are crucial for optimizing earnings in a market that values direct patient care and outcomes.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,884 | $31.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,541 | $32.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,544 | $36.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,345 | $38.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,283 | $40.04 |
Median Salary Position
8.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,399 (2026 est.). At $76,544, the local median is 8.96% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be above the median
How Waterbury Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $76,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $77,631 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | +8.96% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $76,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.96% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% below the Connecticut state average of $77,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $76,544 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,714 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,460
2025 BLS Actual
$74,510
2026 Current Est.
$76,544
2019–2027 Growth
+13.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,634 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 7.3% from $69,460 (2019) to $74,510 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,634 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,174 (13.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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) | $64,884 – $68,541 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,541 – $76,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,544 – $80,345 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,345 – $83,283 |
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 Waterbury
With approximately 150 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Waterbury, the local job market offers a solid foundation for aspiring professionals. The cost of living index, sitting at 99.778, suggests affordability for citizens, thereby enhancing the overall take-home purchasing power associated with PTA positions. Among the employers in the area, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally provide the highest salaries, as these settings often afford greater productivity opportunities compared to skilled nursing facilities, where the reimbursement challenges due to the CMS 15% Medicare cut have significantly affected compensation. To maximize pay in Waterbury, physical therapist assistants should focus on building relationships within high-paying sectors, seeking positions in outpatient settings, and potentially pursuing PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways that could open up higher salary brackets in the future.
More salary data for Waterbury, 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 $74,510 for physical therapist assistantsin the Waterbury 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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