Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Brookfield, WI: $30.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Brookfield, WI runs $30.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,013 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Brookfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,411 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Brookfield, Wisconsin, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly pay of $30.78, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $33.77. This difference can have significant implications for those seeking positions within various environments, such as outpatient clinic gyms, skilled nursing facilities, and home health settings. For part-time workers, typically clocking in about three days a week, this means manageable earnings, but it could limit long-term financial growth compared to full-time employment. Entry-level positions start at approximately $21.69 per hour, while experienced professionals may earn up to $37.70, creating a broad spectrum of income potential within the field. These hourly estimates are derived from projected annual salary data and reflect the varying scales of demand for physical therapist assistants across Brookfield.
About the Brookfield Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.69 | $173.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.95 | $223.62 |
| Median (P50) | $30.78 | $246.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.17 | $273.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.70 | $301.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookfield
Based on $30.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.78/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookfield, WI can expect to earn approximately $64,018 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,933. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brookfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.12 | $5,335 | $64,018 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.67 | $3,201 | $38,411 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.45 | $2,134 | $25,607 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Brookfield) | $30.78 |
| 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 Brookfield, WI earn a median of $64,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.87% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,120.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.78/hr = $38,411/year (purchasing power: $41,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,018/year (purchasing power: $68,542).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Brookfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Brookfield grew 16.3% from $25.76/hr (2019) to $29.96/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.62/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 Brookfield 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 Brookfield
When considering the financial realities of a part-time physical therapist assistant, working just 24 hours a week can yield a yearly income that may be substantially lower than that of someone in a full-time role. Per-diem physical therapist assistant pay in Brookfield ranges from $32 to $48 per hour depending on the setting, like schools or private practices, and contracted travel PTAs can expect weekly earnings between $1,200 to $1,800. However, the recent 15% Medicare cut has pressured positions in skilled nursing facilities, often pushing hourly rates down as agencies look to reduce costs. Different employer types impact pay as well; outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer more competitive pay than hospital settings. Many PTAs are faced with the choice of accepting a lower hourly rate with benefits or opting for higher pay without the security of health insurance. Effective negotiation strategies, such as researching local market rates or leveraging unique skills, can enhance pay rates for those working in Brookfield.
More salary data for Brookfield, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Brookfield in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Brookfield?
Are physical therapist assistants in Brookfield paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Brookfield?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Brookfield?
Related Pages
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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 Brookfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookfield 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