Physical Therapist Salary in Shelton, CT: $107,288 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Shelton, CT earns a median $107,288/year (≈ $51.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Shelton's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $99,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Shelton, Connecticut, can expect a median annual salary of $107,288, slightly exceeding the national median of $105,288. Salaries in the area range significantly, starting at $82,669 for the lower 10th percentile and reaching $133,540 for those in the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected for 2026, reflect the local cost of living adjustments and highlight the area's competitive landscape for physical therapy professionals. Given the push for productivity standards, therapists must often focus on maximizing their visits per day to optimize compensation, which can lead to substantial variations in pay structures depending on the clinical setting.
About the Shelton Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($105,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,669 | $39.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,255 | $43.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $107,288 | $51.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $125,342 | $60.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,540 | $64.20 |
Median Salary Position
1.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shelton
In Shelton, CT, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,871 (2026 est.). At $107,288, the local median is 1.9% above the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shelton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shelton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Shelton median: $107,288/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shelton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $105,495 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.90% more |
Physical Therapists in Shelton, CT earn a median of $107,288 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.90% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 1.70% above the Connecticut state average of $105,495.
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 $107,288 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,433 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,139
2025 BLS Actual
$104,712
2026 Current Est.
$107,288
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Shelton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,139 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,739 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,436 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,576 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,604 | Actual |
| 2024 | $112,169 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,712 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,288 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shelton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $91,139 (2019) to $104,712 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,788 (20.61%) 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 2.46% 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) | $82,669 – $90,255 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,255 – $107,288 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $107,288 – $125,342 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $125,342 – $133,540 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Shelton
With only 10 physical therapists currently employed in Shelton, job opportunities in this niche market can be limited. The cost-of-living index sits at 107.9, indicating that expenses are slightly higher than the national average, which can impact overall purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital systems tend to offer better compensation, especially for those with advanced board certifications like OCS or SCS. The spread in salaries can also be influenced by the type of practice model, as cash-pay clinics often provide higher take-home earnings compared to insurance-dependent settings. For physical therapists looking to enhance their pay in Shelton, focusing on productivity, pursuing specialization certifications, and considering the patient demographic served can be effective strategies to improve earnings in this evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Shelton, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Shelton, CT in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Shelton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Shelton?
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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 $104,712 for physical therapistsin the Shelton 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 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 2.46%, 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