Physical Therapist Pay

Middletown vs New Haven: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Middletown, CT and New Haven, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Middletown, CT
$104,411
$50.20/hr
New Haven, CT
$105,534
$50.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiddletown, CTNew Haven, CT
Median Salary$104,411$105,534
Hourly Rate$50.20$50.74
Entry Level (P10)$80,328$86,077
25th Percentile$87,743$96,446
75th Percentile$121,893$117,235
Top Earner (P90)$133,507$131,682
Total Employed7610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Middletown ($104,411) and New Haven ($105,534) physical therapist salaries.MiddletownNew HavenMedian Salary$104,411$105,534Entry Level (P10)$80,328$86,077Top Earner (P90)$133,507$131,682US Median $105,288

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Middletown.

The salary gap between Middletown and New Haven is $1,123 (1.08%). New Haven's median is +0.23% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Middletown spans $53,179,New Haven spans $45,605. Middletown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Middletown
P10 (Entry)$80,328
P25$87,743
Median$104,411
P75$121,893
P90 (Top)$133,507
New Haven
P10 (Entry)$86,077
P25$96,446
Median$105,534
P75$117,235
P90 (Top)$131,682

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($100,932 effective) pays 4.31% more than Middletown ($96,766 effective).

Middletown
Nominal: $104,411
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $96,766
New Haven
Nominal: $105,534
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $100,932

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Middletown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,507)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,534/year)
  • Larger job market (610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,932)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Middletown grew -9.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.4% growth in New Haven over the same period.

Middletown, CT

+-9.1%

$112,090 (2024) → $101,904 (2025)

New Haven, CT

+11.4%

$92,440 (2019) → $103,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Middletown or New Haven?

New Haven has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,534/year, compared to Middletown at $104,411/year — a difference of $1,123 (1.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Middletown and New Haven?

Middletown physical therapists earn $50.20/hr while New Haven hygienists earn $50.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Middletown to New Haven as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Middletown and New Haven. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Middletown = $96,766, New Haven = $100,932), job availability (7 vs 610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Middletown vs New Haven?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $80,328 in Middletown and $86,077 in New Haven. The New Haven area offers higher starting salaries.
AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov