Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Milwaukee, WI: $32.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Milwaukee, WI runs $32.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,422 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,449 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $32.41, slightly below the national median of $33.77. This figure highlights the potential earnings in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. For part-time workers, such as those clocking in three days a week, this rate translates into meaningful compensation for those balancing work with other responsibilities. Milwaukee's hourly pay range for physical therapist assistants runs from $29.29 at the entry level to $38.85 for top earners, showcasing the career's growth potential. The data presented comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a reliable picture of expected wages in this field.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.29 | $234.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.74 | $245.89 |
| Median (P50) | $32.41 | $259.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.55 | $292.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.85 | $310.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Milwaukee
Based on $32.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.41/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $67,416 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,894. With a cost-of-living index of 96.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,296.45 | $5,618 | $67,416 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $777.87 | $3,371 | $40,449 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $518.58 | $2,247 | $26,966 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Milwaukee) | $32.41 |
| 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 Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $67,422 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $65,079.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.41/hr = $40,449/year (purchasing power: $41,727).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,416/year (purchasing power: $69,546).
CoL index: 96.937 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Milwaukee grew 15.2% from $27.39/hr (2019) to $31.55/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.30/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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
When considering part-time roles in Milwaukee, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week could expect to take home roughly $40,377 annually, which contrasts starkly with full-time earnings that could reach over $67,000. Many PTAs choose per-diem work, where pay can fluctuate between $32 and $48 an hour, depending on the setting and level of demand. While travel contracts can offer lucrative weekly pay between $1,200 and $1,800, candidates should remain aware that Medicare cuts implemented in 2022 have pressured pay rates, especially in skilled nursing facilities. The hourly rates may vary considerably based on the employer type; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics typically provide robust compensation, while pediatric clinics and home health agencies may offer different financial packages combined with benefits. Negotiating effectively for hourly pay in Milwaukee involves understanding these variances and assessing the need for benefits, as some PTAs may accept lower hourly pay for comprehensive health insurance plans.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Milwaukee in 2026?
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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 Milwaukee. 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