Physical Therapist Salary in Manchester, CT: $106,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Manchester, CT earns a median $106,430/year (≈ $51.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Manchester's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $98,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Manchester, Connecticut, physical therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $106,430 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $105,288. The local salary range offers considerable variation, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the field; therapists can expect earnings from $78,771 at the 10th percentile to as much as $140,027 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, factoring in regional cost adjustments and the regional price parity in Connecticut. Understanding the structure of employers is crucial; outpatient chains may generally offer lower base salaries compared to hospital systems, but those working in inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities might find enhanced pay along with added benefits that can influence overall compensation and job satisfaction in the Manchester market.
About the Manchester Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,771 | $37.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,924 | $42.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,430 | $51.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,993 | $60.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,027 | $67.32 |
Median Salary Position
1.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manchester
In Manchester, CT, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,256 (2026 est.). At $106,430, the local median is 1.08% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Manchester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Manchester Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Manchester median: $106,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Manchester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $105,586 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.08% more |
Physical Therapists in Manchester, CT earn a median of $106,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.08% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 0.80% above the Connecticut state average of $105,586.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Manchester has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Manchester, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $106,430 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,638 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,410
2025 BLS Actual
$103,875
2026 Current Est.
$106,430
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Manchester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,998 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,658 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,792 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,257 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,875 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,049 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Manchester metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $90,410 (2019) to $103,875 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,639 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manchester 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,771 – $87,924 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,924 – $106,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,430 – $125,993 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,993 – $140,027 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Manchester
In terms of job market dynamics, there are currently 11 physical therapists employed in Manchester. The cost of living in this area, represented by a cost-of-living index of 107.9, indicates that while salaries are relatively healthy, take-home purchasing power can be impacted. For those seeking the highest pay in Manchester CT, outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine facilities often lead the way, with options to leverage productivity standards such as visits per day. Additional incentives for higher compensation include obtaining board certifications like the OCS and SCS, which can lead to stipends or premium pay. With the ongoing shift between cash-pay and insurance-based models, therapists here should consider negotiating contracts that reflect their skills and productivity while staying informed about prevailing trends and compensation benchmarks within the Manchester job market.
More salary data for Manchester, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Manchester, CT in 2026?
Is Manchester, CT a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Manchester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Manchester?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Manchester?
Related Pages
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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
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 $103,875 for physical therapistsin the Manchester metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 Manchester 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 2.46%, 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