Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $31.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Appleton, WI runs $31.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,994 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,590 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $31.72. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $33.77, indicating a competitive but challenging pay environment for PTAs in the region. For those considering part-time work, such as a schedule of three days per week, this hourly rate can yield a decent income that supports living in an area with a cost of living index of 92.419, slightly below the national average. Entry-level positions may start around $28.46 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $40.50 per hour, creating a range that reflects the varying expertise and settings in which PTAs operate. These figures are backed by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected to 2026.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.46 | $227.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.85 | $238.83 |
| Median (P50) | $31.72 | $253.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.89 | $295.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.50 | $323.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $31.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.72/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $65,984 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,068. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,268.92 | $5,499 | $65,984 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.35 | $3,299 | $39,590 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.57 | $2,199 | $26,394 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Appleton) | $31.72 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Appleton, WI earn a median of $65,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.05% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $65,083.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.72/hr = $39,590/year (purchasing power: $42,838).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,984/year (purchasing power: $71,396).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Appleton grew 11.8% from $27.62/hr (2019) to $30.88/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.59/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Appleton
When examining the earnings potential for part-time physical therapist assistants in Appleton, working 24 hours per week equates to an annual income of approximately $39,766. This is notably less than what full-time counterparts would earn but allows for flexibility that some job seekers prioritize. For per-diem physical therapist assistants, rates typically range from $32 to $48 per hour, depending on the facility, with contract-based positions in travel requiring commitments of $1,200 to $1,800 per week. Variability in pay exists across employer types; outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies may offer different hourly rates, particularly following the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for PTA services that took effect in 2022. Some PTAs choose lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer higher pay arrangements without benefits. When negotiating, it's crucial to weigh the total compensation package and consider the balance between hourly rates and job stability.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Appleton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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