Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wausau, WI: $54,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Wausau, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $54,231 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wausau's local price level (BEA RPP 92.7 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $58,533 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,895) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the starting physical therapist assistant salary is projected to be around $54,231 in 2026. This entry-level pay establishes a foundation that is notably below the city’s median annual salary of $61,895, indicating that recent graduates may need to manage their expectations in terms of immediate financial rewards. Over the first few years of their careers, new PTAs may see their salaries grow incrementally, moving from the starting range to around $58,762 within a few seasons of employment. Given Wausau's cost of living index of 92.651, which sits below the national average, the area presents a reasonable market for new graduates eager to launch their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wausau
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 Wausau
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Wausau, WI typically start between $54,231 and $58,762 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,539 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,895 — 11.89% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Wisconsin of $18,000 represents just 33.19% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($54,231/year) in Wausau. 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 Wausau
- 1Research the Wausau market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $54,231 to $58,762, 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 Wausau, 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 Wausau for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wausau'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 Wausau is $25,539 ( 47.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $54,231, experienced hygienists can earn up to $79,770.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$40,030
2025 BLS Actual
$52,790
2026 Current Est.
$54,231
2019–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,215 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,915 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,712 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Wausau, WI grew 31.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,030 in 2019 to $52,790 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $55,712. New graduates entering the Wausau job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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 Wausau
In Wausau, outpatient clinics are the primary employers for new graduates in the physical therapist assistant field, often offering the most positions as they seek to support a broad spectrum of patients. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) also remain viable options, although tighter budgets due to changes in Medicare reimbursement can limit opportunities. To enhance earning potential, new PTAs in Wisconsin are encouraged to obtain their state license, as well as pursue optional advanced proficiency credentials through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Given the regulatory framework in which PTAs operate under the supervision of physical therapists, new professionals should plan for a gradual salary increase that reflects their accumulated experience and the evolving industry landscape. The 15% cuts to Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services may hinder swift financial growth in heavily Medicare-reliant settings, so understanding this dynamic is crucial for early-career strategizing in Wausau.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Wausau in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Wausau?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Wausau?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Wausau?
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 Wausau. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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