PT Assistant Salary

Milwaukee vs Mount Pleasant: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$67,422
$32.41/hr
Mount Pleasant, WI
$60,470
$29.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIMount Pleasant, WI
Median Salary$67,422$60,470
Hourly Rate$32.41$29.07
Entry Level (P10)$60,919$41,055
25th Percentile$63,919$55,153
75th Percentile$76,020$67,415
Top Earner (P90)$80,818$74,298
Total Employed4805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($67,422) and Mount Pleasant ($60,470) physical therapist assistant salaries.MilwaukeeMount PleasantMedian Salary$67,422$60,470Entry Level (P10)$60,919$41,055Top Earner (P90)$80,818$74,298US Median $70,247

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Pleasant.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Mount Pleasant is $6,952 (11.50%). Milwaukee's median is -4.02% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $19,899,Mount Pleasant spans $33,243. Mount Pleasant has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$60,919
P25$63,919
Median$67,422
P75$76,020
P90 (Top)$80,818
Mount Pleasant
P10 (Entry)$41,055
P25$55,153
Median$60,470
P75$67,415
P90 (Top)$74,298

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($69,552 effective) pays 7.43% more than Mount Pleasant ($64,743 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $67,422
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $69,552
Mount Pleasant
Nominal: $60,470
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $64,743

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,422/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,818)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,552)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Pleasant if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Milwaukee grew 15.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.9% growth in Mount Pleasant over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+15.2%

$56,970 (2019) → $65,630 (2025)

Mount Pleasant, WI

+4.9%

$56,088 (2024) → $58,863 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Milwaukee or Mount Pleasant?

Milwaukee has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $67,422/year, compared to Mount Pleasant at $60,470/year — a difference of $6,952 (11.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Mount Pleasant?

Milwaukee physical therapist assistants earn $32.41/hr while Mount Pleasant hygienists earn $29.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Mount Pleasant as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Mount Pleasant. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $69,552, Mount Pleasant = $64,743), job availability (480 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Milwaukee vs Mount Pleasant?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $60,919 in Milwaukee and $41,055 in Mount Pleasant. The Milwaukee 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