Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in South Milwaukee, WI: $29.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in South Milwaukee, WI runs $29.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,857 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against South Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,116 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Milwaukee, the typical physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected at $29.74, which is approximately 11.94% lower than the national median hourly rate of $33.77. This median rate can significantly impact the earnings of part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health, and pediatric therapy spaces. With an hourly range from $21.48 at the lower end (P10) to $37.94 at the upper end (P90), emerging professionals in this field will find opportunities to grow their earnings as they gain experience. However, these figures are based on estimated annual salaries and can serve as a foundation for understanding what physical therapist assistants in Wisconsin might expect to earn on an hourly basis.
About the South Milwaukee 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) | $21.48 | $171.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.17 | $209.32 |
| Median (P50) | $29.74 | $237.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.40 | $259.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.94 | $303.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Milwaukee
Based on $29.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.74/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $61,860 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,688. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,189.61 | $5,155 | $61,860 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $713.77 | $3,093 | $37,116 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.85 | $2,062 | $24,744 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (South Milwaukee) | $29.74 |
| 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 South Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $61,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.94% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,112.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.74/hr = $37,116/year (purchasing power: $39,739).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,860/year (purchasing power: $66,231).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in South Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in South Milwaukee grew 16.3% from $24.89/hr (2019) to $28.95/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.55/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 South 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 South Milwaukee
For part-time physical therapist assistants working three days a week, their annual take-home pay might be significantly lower compared to full-time colleagues, given the factors that influence working hours and benefits. Per-diem PTAs often enjoy higher hourly rates, typically billing between $32 and $48, especially in travel contracts that range from $1,200 to $1,800 per week. In South Milwaukee, hourly rates also vary based on the employer type: outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer competitive pay, while skilled nursing facilities have been affected by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has constrained pay scales. Some PTAs may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, balancing their overall compensation. Effectively negotiating hourly wages involves understanding industry standards, the demand in various local markets, and being aware of the trade-offs associated with different job offers in this evolving field.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in South Milwaukee in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in South Milwaukee?
Are physical therapist assistants in South Milwaukee paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in South Milwaukee?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in South Milwaukee?
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 South 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
Salary data for South Milwaukee 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