Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $31.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in La Crosse, WI runs $31.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,905 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,936 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to be $31.20 by 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate plays a crucial role for those considering part-time or per-diem work in the field. For instance, PTA professionals working three days a week might find themselves earning a competitive wage while maintaining a work-life balance. The hourly range spans from $22.48 for entry-level positions to approximately $37.53 for top-earning professionals. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS figures, illustrates the variety of compensation options based on experience and the specific healthcare setting, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health care.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.48 | $179.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.72 | $237.76 |
| Median (P50) | $31.20 | $249.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.47 | $291.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.53 | $300.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $31.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.20/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $64,894 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,439. With a cost-of-living index of 91.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,247.96 | $5,408 | $64,894 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.78 | $3,245 | $38,936 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $499.19 | $2,163 | $25,958 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (La Crosse) | $31.20 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $64,905 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.60% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,100.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.20/hr = $38,936/year (purchasing power: $42,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,894/year (purchasing power: $70,715).
CoL index: 91.769 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in La Crosse grew 26.9% from $23.93/hr (2019) to $30.37/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.05/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
Exploring the specifics of earning potential, a part-time physical therapist assistant working a 24-hour week would see an annual income of around $41,024, significantly less than a full-time PTA’s potential earnings. Per diem PTAs often invoice $32 to $48 per hour, and those taking on contracts that necessitate travel may draw in between $1,200 to $1,800 weekly. However, agency pay rates for roles in skilled nursing facilities can fluctuate due to the effects of the 15% Medicare cuts established in 2022, compressing pay in settings heavily reliant on Medicare reimbursements. Rates may vary significantly depending on employment type, with outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offering different compensation than home health agencies or pediatric therapy spaces. Physical therapist assistants often face a decision between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. For those navigating offers in La Crosse, emphasizing skill sets and leveraging local demand can improve negotiating outcomes.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in La Crosse in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in La Crosse?
Are physical therapist assistants in La Crosse paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in La Crosse?
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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 La Crosse. 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