PT Assistant Salary

Janesville vs Madison: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Janesville, WI
$71,808
$34.52/hr
Madison, WI
$65,110
$31.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJanesville, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$71,808$65,110
Hourly Rate$34.52$31.30
Entry Level (P10)$56,224$48,930
25th Percentile$62,511$61,145
75th Percentile$75,147$75,907
Top Earner (P90)$83,910$79,647
Total Employed50180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Janesville ($71,808) and Madison ($65,110) physical therapist assistant salaries.JanesvilleMadisonMedian Salary$71,808$65,110Entry Level (P10)$56,224$48,930Top Earner (P90)$83,910$79,647US Median $70,247

Verdict

Janesville, WI offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Madison.

The salary gap between Janesville and Madison is $6,698 (10.29%). Janesville's median is +2.22% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Janesville spans $27,686,Madison spans $30,717. Madison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Janesville
P10 (Entry)$56,224
P25$62,511
Median$71,808
P75$75,147
P90 (Top)$83,910
Madison
P10 (Entry)$48,930
P25$61,145
Median$65,110
P75$75,907
P90 (Top)$79,647

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Janesville ($76,634 effective) pays 14.51% more than Madison ($66,926 effective).

Janesville
Nominal: $71,808
CoL Index: 93.703
Adjusted: $76,634
Madison
Nominal: $65,110
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $66,926

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Janesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,808/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,910)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,634)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Janesville grew 18.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.0% growth in Madison over the same period.

Janesville, WI

+18.0%

$59,220 (2019) → $69,900 (2025)

Madison, WI

+26.0%

$50,300 (2019) → $63,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Janesville or Madison?

Janesville has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $71,808/year, compared to Madison at $65,110/year — a difference of $6,698 (10.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Janesville and Madison?

Janesville physical therapist assistants earn $34.52/hr while Madison hygienists earn $31.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Janesville to Madison as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Janesville and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Janesville = $76,634, Madison = $66,926), job availability (50 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Janesville vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $56,224 in Janesville and $48,930 in Madison. The Janesville 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