Physical Therapist Salary in Connecticut: $106,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $106,738/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,923 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hartford ($105,230), Bridgeport ($105,160), Shelton ($104,712).
In Connecticut, the average median salary for physical therapists in 2026 is projected at $106,738, slightly above the national median of $105,288, indicating a 1.4% premium over the national average. The highest-paying city in the state is Hartford, with a salary of $107,819, while Cheshire offers the lowest at $100,758. This $7,061 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Connecticut has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that enable physical therapists to perform a range of clinical interventions, which may contribute to the demand for their services. As a result, the total number of employed physical therapists in the state is projected at 4,040, with an annual growth rate of 2.46%. Key cities driving employment opportunities include Bridgeport at $107,747, Shelton at $107,288, Manchester at $106,430, and Stamford at $106,303. With a steady demand for physical therapy services and a favorable salary landscape, the job market for physical therapists in Connecticut is expected to remain strong through 2026.
Connecticut Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $74,777 (lowest entry-level) to $142,310 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut physical therapists earn 1.38% more than the national median (+$1,450/year difference).
Connecticut Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Connecticut range from $84,327 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $130,786 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,738. The Connecticut median is $1,450 above the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $51.32/hr. Approximately 4,040 physical therapists are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$95,155
2025 BLS Actual
$104,175
2026 Current Est.
$106,738
2019–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,155 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,226 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,745 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,292 | Actual |
| 2024 | $105,251 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,364 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 9.5% from $95,155 (2019) to $104,175 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,364 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,209 (14.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Connecticut
Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cheshire | $100,758 |
| Enfield | $100,984 |
| Naugatuck | $101,127 |
| Glastonbury | $101,847 |
| Vernon | $101,880 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury | $105,114 | 99.778 | $105,348 |
| Norwich | $105,411 | 100.445 | $104,944 |
| Hartford | $107,819 | 102.746 | $104,937 |
| New Haven | $105,534 | 104.559 | $100,932 |
| Bridgeport | $107,747 | 106.864 | $100,826 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $84,327 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,738 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $130,786 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 29 Cities in Connecticut
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hartford | $107,819 |
| 2 | Bridgeport | $107,747 |
| 3 | Shelton | $107,288 |
| 4 | Manchester | $106,430 |
| 5 | Stamford | $106,303 |
| 6 | East Hartford | $105,968 |
| 7 | New Haven | $105,534 |
| 8 | Danbury | $105,493 |
| 9 | Norwich | $105,411 |
| 10 | West Hartford | $105,226 |
| 11 | Waterbury | $105,114 |
| 12 | Norwalk | $105,026 |
| 13 | Bristol | $104,692 |
| 14 | New London | $104,665 |
| 15 | Stratford | $104,541 |
| 16 | Middletown | $104,411 |
| 17 | Meriden | $104,191 |
| 18 | Hamden | $103,847 |
| 19 | Fairfield | $103,773 |
| 20 | New Britain | $103,655 |
| 21 | Milford | $103,187 |
| 22 | West Haven | $103,145 |
| 23 | Torrington | $102,642 |
| 24 | Groton | $102,298 |
| 25 | Vernon | $101,880 |
| 26 | Glastonbury | $101,847 |
| 27 | Naugatuck | $101,127 |
| 28 | Enfield | $100,984 |
| 29 | Cheshire | $100,758 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Connecticut cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Connecticut?
How many physical therapists are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov