Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Menomonee Falls, WI: $45,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Menomonee Falls, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $45,206 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Menomonee Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $48,400 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($64,165) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field of physical therapy as assistants in Menomonee Falls, the starting physical therapist assistant salary is projected to be around $45,206 in 2026. This initial pay presents a notable contrast when compared to the overall median annual salary of $64,165 for the region. Over the first few years of their careers, physical therapist assistants can expect to advance through various salary thresholds, starting from the lower end of the pay scale and moving towards the median. The gap between these figures suggests that while the early-career pay is lower, there exists a clear pathway for growth as PTA professionals gain experience and credentials. Menomonee Falls currently offers reasonable opportunities for new grads, given the anticipated annual growth rate of 2.73%, signaling a steady demand for physical therapist assistants in the area.
About the Menomonee Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Menomonee Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Menomonee Falls
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Menomonee Falls, WI typically start between $45,206 and $55,978 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,693 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $64,165 — 8.66% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Wisconsin of $18,000 represents just 39.82% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($45,206/year) in Menomonee Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Menomonee Falls
- 1Research the Menomonee Falls market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $45,206 to $55,978, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Menomonee Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Menomonee Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Menomonee Falls's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Menomonee Falls is $33,693 ( 74.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $45,206, experienced hygienists can earn up to $78,899.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,827
2025 BLS Actual
$44,005
2026 Current Est.
$45,206
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Menomonee Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,827 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,356 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,807 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,451 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,005 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,440 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Menomonee Falls, WI grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,827 in 2019 to $44,005 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $46,440. New graduates entering the Menomonee Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Menomonee Falls 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Menomonee Falls
In terms of employment avenues, outpatient physical therapy clinics are prominent employers in Menomonee Falls, often hiring newly graduated PTAs. Skilled nursing facilities still seek new PTA graduates despite recent reimbursement cuts, while home health agencies typically favor candidates with more experience. To maximize their starting pay in Wisconsin, it’s imperative for new grads to hold an associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, pass the NPTAE national exam, obtain their state PTA license, and consider ongoing education such as advanced proficiency credentials from the APTA. Given that physical therapist assistants work under the supervision of physical therapists according to state regulations and recent changes to Medicare reimbursement have affected pay, new entrants to the field should strategize their career paths wisely. Realistic salary growth expectations for the first three years can be achieved by focusing on building skill sets and experience in various settings, paving the way for higher-paying opportunities in the future.
More salary data for Menomonee Falls, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Menomonee Falls in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Menomonee Falls?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Menomonee Falls?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Menomonee Falls?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Wisconsin?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Menomonee Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Menomonee Falls is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov