PT Assistant Salary

Green Bay vs Waukesha: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Green Bay, WI and Waukesha, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Green Bay, WI
$65,326
$31.40/hr
Waukesha, WI
$68,271
$32.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WIWaukesha, WI
Median Salary$65,326$68,271
Hourly Rate$31.40$32.82
Entry Level (P10)$52,659$46,569
25th Percentile$61,936$58,385
75th Percentile$75,507$76,887
Top Earner (P90)$76,647$86,086
Total Employed10014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($65,326) and Waukesha ($68,271) physical therapist assistant salaries.Green BayWaukeshaMedian Salary$65,326$68,271Entry Level (P10)$52,659$46,569Top Earner (P90)$76,647$86,086US Median $70,247

Verdict

Waukesha, WI offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Green Bay.

The salary gap between Green Bay and Waukesha is $2,945 (4.51%). Waukesha's median is -2.81% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Green Bay spans $23,988,Waukesha spans $39,517. Waukesha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$52,659
P25$61,936
Median$65,326
P75$75,507
P90 (Top)$76,647
Waukesha
P10 (Entry)$46,569
P25$58,385
Median$68,271
P75$76,887
P90 (Top)$86,086

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukesha ($73,095 effective) pays 4.16% more than Green Bay ($70,178 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $65,326
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $70,178
Waukesha
Nominal: $68,271
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $73,095

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Waukesha if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,271/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,086)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,095)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Green Bay grew 17.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.5% growth in Waukesha over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+17.0%

$54,360 (2019) → $63,590 (2025)

Waukesha, WI

+14.5%

$58,051 (2024) → $66,457 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Green Bay or Waukesha?

Waukesha has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $68,271/year, compared to Green Bay at $65,326/year — a difference of $2,945 (4.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Green Bay and Waukesha?

Green Bay physical therapist assistants earn $31.40/hr while Waukesha hygienists earn $32.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Green Bay to Waukesha as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and Waukesha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $70,178, Waukesha = $73,095), job availability (100 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Green Bay vs Waukesha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $52,659 in Green Bay and $46,569 in Waukesha. The Green Bay area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% 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 Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov