PA Salary

Hartford vs Middletown: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Hartford, CT
$143,284
$68.88/hr
Middletown, CT
$143,140
$68.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHartford, CTMiddletown, CT
Median Salary$143,284$143,140
Hourly Rate$68.88$68.82
Entry Level (P10)$102,772$107,276
25th Percentile$131,857$127,498
75th Percentile$167,533$171,016
Top Earner (P90)$178,878$194,866
Total Employed1,4607
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hartford ($143,284) and Middletown ($143,140) physician assistant salaries.HartfordMiddletownMedian Salary$143,284$143,140Entry Level (P10)$102,772$107,276Top Earner (P90)$178,878$194,866US Median $140,391

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hartford and Middletown is $144 (0.10%). 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 Hartford spans $76,106,Middletown spans $87,590. Middletown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

Hartford
P10 (Entry)$102,772
P25$131,857
Median$143,284
P75$167,533
P90 (Top)$178,878
Middletown
P10 (Entry)$107,276
P25$127,498
Median$143,140
P75$171,016
P90 (Top)$194,866

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hartford ($139,455 effective) pays 5.12% more than Middletown ($132,660 effective).

Hartford
Nominal: $143,284
CoL Index: 102.746
Adjusted: $139,455
Middletown
Nominal: $143,140
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $132,660

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Middletown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($194,866)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in Hartford grew 3.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -3.9% growth in Middletown over the same period.

Hartford, CT

+3.3%

$134,240 (2019) → $138,680 (2025)

Middletown, CT

+-3.9%

$144,115 (2024) → $138,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: Hartford or Middletown?

Hartford has a higher median physician assistant salary at $143,284/year, compared to Middletown at $143,140/year — a difference of $144 (0.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hartford and Middletown?

Hartford physician assistants earn $68.88/hr while Middletown hygienists earn $68.82/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hartford and Middletown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hartford = $139,455, Middletown = $132,660), job availability (1,460 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $102,772 in Hartford and $107,276 in Middletown. The Middletown 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