PA Salary

East Hartford vs Hartford: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between East Hartford, CT and Hartford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Hartford, CT
$140,825
$67.71/hr
Hartford, CT
$143,284
$68.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Hartford, CTHartford, CT
Median Salary$140,825$143,284
Hourly Rate$67.71$68.88
Entry Level (P10)$105,277$102,772
25th Percentile$125,718$131,857
75th Percentile$169,927$167,533
Top Earner (P90)$196,134$178,878
Total Employed111,460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Hartford ($140,825) and Hartford ($143,284) physician assistant salaries.East HartfordHartfordMedian Salary$140,825$143,284Entry Level (P10)$105,277$102,772Top Earner (P90)$196,134$178,878US Median $140,391

Verdict

Hartford, CT offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to East Hartford.

The salary gap between East Hartford and Hartford is $2,459 (1.75%). Hartford's median is +2.06% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Hartford spans $90,857,Hartford spans $76,106. East Hartford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Hartford
P10 (Entry)$105,277
P25$125,718
Median$140,825
P75$169,927
P90 (Top)$196,134
Hartford
P10 (Entry)$102,772
P25$131,857
Median$143,284
P75$167,533
P90 (Top)$178,878

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hartford ($139,455 effective) pays 6.85% more than East Hartford ($130,514 effective).

East Hartford
Nominal: $140,825
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $130,514
Hartford
Nominal: $143,284
CoL Index: 102.746
Adjusted: $139,455

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Hartford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($196,134)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Hartford if…

  • Higher median salary ($143,284/year)
  • Larger job market (1,460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $139,455)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in East Hartford grew -3.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 3.3% growth in Hartford over the same period.

East Hartford, CT

+-3.8%

$141,734 (2024) → $136,300 (2025)

Hartford, CT

+3.3%

$134,240 (2019) → $138,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: East Hartford or Hartford?

Hartford has a higher median physician assistant salary at $143,284/year, compared to East Hartford at $140,825/year — a difference of $2,459 (1.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Hartford and Hartford?

East Hartford physician assistants earn $67.71/hr while Hartford hygienists earn $68.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Hartford to Hartford as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Hartford and Hartford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Hartford = $130,514, Hartford = $139,455), job availability (11 vs 1,460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in East Hartford vs Hartford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $105,277 in East Hartford and $102,772 in Hartford. The East Hartford area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C

Career Analyst

Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, PA-CData verified by Amina Patel, MSPAS, PA-C

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.32% 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 Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov