Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Mount Pleasant, WI: $41,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Mount Pleasant, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,055 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mount Pleasant's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $43,956 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($60,470) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting off, new graduates entering the physical therapist assistant (PTA) profession in Mount Pleasant, WI should have a clear understanding of realistic salary expectations. In 2026, the starting physical therapist assistant salary in Mount Pleasant is projected to begin around $41,055, significantly lower than the city median of $60,470. However, it is essential to recognize that this entry-level pay can increase substantially over the first few years of one’s career, with possibilities of moving to around $55,153 as they gain experience. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.73%, those beginning their careers can anticipate a gradual salary increase that reflects their developing skills and contributions to the healthcare setting. Given the current market conditions in Mount Pleasant, it remains a viable option for new graduates who are eager to start their professional journey and are equipped with the right credentials.
About the Mount Pleasant Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mount Pleasant
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 Mount Pleasant
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Mount Pleasant, WI typically start between $41,055 and $55,153 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,243 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $60,470 — 13.92% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Wisconsin of $18,000 represents just 43.84% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($41,055/year) in Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant
- 1Research the Mount Pleasant market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $41,055 to $55,153, 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 Mount Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mount Pleasant'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 Mount Pleasant is $33,243 ( 80.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,055, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,298.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$27,996
2025 BLS Actual
$39,964
2026 Current Est.
$41,055
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,996 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,322 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,201 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,244 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,322 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,964 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,176 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Mount Pleasant, WI grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,996 in 2019 to $39,964 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,176. New graduates entering the Mount Pleasant job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant
Looking at the hiring landscape in Mount Pleasant, various employers are actively seeking new physical therapist assistant graduates. Outpatient rehabilitation chains typically have the highest recruitment for entry-level PTAs, while skilled nursing facilities continue to hire despite tighter reimbursement rates imposed by CMS cuts, which reduced Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services by 15% in 2022. To enhance their employability and starting pay, graduates should focus on acquiring an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, obtaining their state PTA license, and passing the NPTAE national exam. Engaging in continuing education through APTA can further bolster their credentials. New PTAs should approach the first few years strategically; while many begin at the lower end of the pay spectrum, the combination of experience, specialized training, and positioning within the job market can lead to substantial salary growth as a practitioner advances through their career in this evolving healthcare environment.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Mount Pleasant in 2026?
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Is physical therapy school worth it in Mount Pleasant?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Mount Pleasant?
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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 Mount Pleasant. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mount Pleasant 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