PA Salary

New Haven vs Stamford: Physician Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physician assistant salaries between New Haven, CT and Stamford, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$154,939
$74.49/hr
Stamford, CT
$148,215
$71.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTStamford, CT
Median Salary$154,939$148,215
Hourly Rate$74.49$71.26
Entry Level (P10)$129,512$109,354
25th Percentile$142,241$131,672
75th Percentile$186,679$181,414
Top Earner (P90)$192,093$211,305
Total Employed74027
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($154,939) and Stamford ($148,215) physician assistant salaries.New HavenStamfordMedian Salary$154,939$148,215Entry Level (P10)$129,512$109,354Top Earner (P90)$192,093$211,305US Median $140,391

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for physician assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Stamford.

The salary gap between New Haven and Stamford is $6,724 (4.54%). New Haven's median is +10.36% compared to the US national median of $140,391.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $62,581,Stamford spans $101,951. Stamford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physician assistants.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$129,512
P25$142,241
Median$154,939
P75$186,679
P90 (Top)$192,093
Stamford
P10 (Entry)$109,354
P25$131,672
Median$148,215
P75$181,414
P90 (Top)$211,305

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($148,183 effective) pays 7.88% more than Stamford ($137,363 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $154,939
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $148,183
Stamford
Nominal: $148,215
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $137,363

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($154,939/year)
  • Larger job market (740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,183)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Stamford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($211,305)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physician assistant salaries in New Haven grew 14.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -1.2% growth in Stamford over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+14.9%

$130,470 (2019) → $149,960 (2025)

Stamford, CT

+-1.2%

$145,150 (2024) → $143,452 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physician assistants more: New Haven or Stamford?

New Haven has a higher median physician assistant salary at $154,939/year, compared to Stamford at $148,215/year — a difference of $6,724 (4.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and Stamford?

New Haven physician assistants earn $74.49/hr while Stamford hygienists earn $71.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to Stamford as a physician assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and Stamford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $148,183, Stamford = $137,363), job availability (740 vs 27 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physician assistants earn in New Haven vs Stamford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physician assistants earn $129,512 in New Haven and $109,354 in Stamford. The New Haven 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