Pollution from potentially toxic elements (PTEs) threatens coastal wetlands, which support biodiversity and ecological services. The ICP-OES analysis of sediment samples from coastal wetlands on the Sitakunda coast assessed PTE contamination and ecological risks. The sediment sample mean PTE concentrations were ordered in decreasing order: Cr (58.96 ± 6.86 mg/kg) > Ni (46.74 ± 5.09 mg/kg) > Cu (41.1 ± 11.40 mg/kg) > Pb (13.37 ± 5.09 mg/kg) > As (8.68 ± 1.37 mg/kg) > Hg (0.37 ± 0.042 mg/kg) > Cd (0.32 ± 0.04 mg/kg), exceeding sediment threshold impact levels. PTE concentrations for most of the metals across wetlands were mangrove > saltmarsh > mudflat > sandflat. Each wetland had pollution load index (PLI) values below 1, indicating no pollution, and was in the following order: mangrove > salt marsh > mudflat > sand flat. Cd exhibited substantial contamination factor (CF) values, while all other wetland metals were low. Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo) found negligible contamination in all wetlands (Igeo < 0). Hg had EF values <1 across all wetlands, indicating natural sources. As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb EF values >1 in all wetland types, indicating anthropogenic sources. All metals across studied wetlands showed low ecosystem risk except Hg and Cd, which exhibited moderate ecological risks. A correlation matrix, cluster analysis, and principal component analysis showed substantial correlations (p < 0.05) between metals and listed anthropogenic sources. We recommend planting artificial mangroves in coastal areas to trap and stabilize PTE pollution, a natural and effective remedy.