Physician Assistant Salary in Waterbury, CT: $138,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Waterbury, CT earns a median $138,573/year (≈ $66.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $138,881 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $138,573, the physician assistant salary in Waterbury reflects a significant compensation structure influenced by the first-assist billing model prevalent among surgical practices. The salary range extends from $107,484 at the 10th percentile to $194,955 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse earning potential based on various factors. These projections, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate a competitive landscape for physician assistants in Waterbury, CT, notably bolstered by the state's healthcare dynamics. As surgical PAs often handle first-assist roles in orthopedic and cardiothoracic procedures, their higher wages contribute to the overall market salary trends.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,484 | $51.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,259 | $61.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $138,573 | $66.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $161,159 | $77.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $194,955 | $93.73 |
Median Salary Position
1.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,471 (2026 est.). At $138,573, the local median is 1.29% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterbury Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $138,573/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $144,648 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -1.29% less |
Physician Assistants in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $138,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.29% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 4.20% below the Connecticut state average of $144,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $138,573 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,881 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$136,430
2025 BLS Actual
$134,120
2026 Current Est.
$138,573
2019–2027 Growth
+4.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $136,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $144,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $133,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $143,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $134,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $143,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew -1.7% from $136,430 (2019) to $134,120 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $143,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,743 (4.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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 3.32% 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) | $107,484 – $127,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,259 – $138,573 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $138,573 – $161,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $161,159 – $194,955 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Waterbury
Examining the local job market, Waterbury employs approximately 170 physician assistants, which offers a cooperative environment for peer learning and networking. With a cost-of-living index at 99.778, slightly below the national average, take-home purchasing power remains relatively favorable for residents in this city. Noteworthy employers include hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, particularly those focused on orthopedics and cardiovascular procedures, which typically offer the highest compensation. Factors such as case volume, call coverage, and RVU productivity bonuses significantly drive the income disparity among PAs. To maximize pay in Waterbury, aspiring physician assistants should focus on gaining experience in surgical roles, consider positions with hospital systems over private practice arrangements, and leverage additional certification or specializations to enhance their marketability.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $134,120 for physician assistantsin the Waterbury metropolitan area. A 3.32% 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
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