Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wisconsin: $65,396 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $65,396/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,017 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Beloit ($70,059), Janesville ($69,900), Waukesha ($66,457).
The projected average median salary for physical therapist assistants in Wisconsin in 2026 is $65,396, which is 6.9% below the national median of $70,247. The highest paying city in the state is Beloit, with an average salary of $71,972, while Wisconsin Rapids has the lowest at $59,698, creating a salary gap of $12,274. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living differences, and the types of facilities that employ physical therapist assistants. In Wisconsin, the licensing requirements for physical therapist assistants include completing an accredited program and passing the national licensure exam. The scope of practice laws in the state empower assistants to perform specific tasks under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, which can vary by setting. The overall job market is expected to grow, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 2.73%. Wisconsin has a total employment figure of 1,428 physical therapist assistants, with key cities such as Janesville ($71,808), Waukesha ($68,271), Milwaukee ($67,422), and Kenosha ($66,713) showing strong salary potential. This growth suggests an ongoing demand for physical therapy services across the state.
Wisconsin Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $41,055 (lowest entry-level) to $88,956 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin physical therapist assistants earn 6.91% less than the national median ($-4,851/year difference).
Wisconsin Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Wisconsin range from $53,605 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,664 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,396. The Wisconsin median is $4,851 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $31.44/hr. Approximately 1,428 physical therapist assistants are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,342
2025 BLS Actual
$63,658
2026 Current Est.
$65,396
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,404 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,468 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,658 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,396 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,181 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 17.1% from $54,342 (2019) to $63,658 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,181 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,839 (23.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $59,698 |
| Middleton | $60,198 |
| Mount Pleasant | $60,470 |
| Racine | $60,559 |
| Platteville | $60,844 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beloit | $71,972 | 93.4 | $77,058 |
| Janesville | $71,808 | 93.703 | $76,634 |
| Waukesha | $68,271 | 93.4 | $73,095 |
| Appleton | $65,994 | 92.419 | $71,407 |
| La Crosse | $64,905 | 91.769 | $70,726 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,605 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,396 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,664 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beloit | $71,972 |
| 2 | Janesville | $71,808 |
| 3 | Waukesha | $68,271 |
| 4 | Milwaukee | $67,422 |
| 5 | Kenosha | $66,713 |
| 6 | Appleton | $65,994 |
| 7 | Onalaska | $65,775 |
| 8 | Green Bay | $65,326 |
| 9 | West Allis | $65,163 |
| 10 | Madison | $65,110 |
| 11 | La Crosse | $64,905 |
| 12 | Fitchburg | $64,731 |
| 13 | Greenfield | $64,726 |
| 14 | Menomonee Falls | $64,165 |
| 15 | Brookfield | $64,013 |
| 16 | West Bend | $63,978 |
| 17 | De Pere | $63,928 |
| 18 | New Berlin | $63,807 |
| 19 | Sun Prairie | $63,265 |
| 20 | Caledonia | $63,094 |
| 21 | Muskego | $62,957 |
| 22 | Oshkosh | $62,943 |
| 23 | Stevens Point | $62,664 |
| 24 | Franklin | $62,593 |
| 25 | Oak Creek | $62,396 |
| 26 | Superior | $62,301 |
| 27 | Manitowoc | $62,270 |
| 28 | Sheboygan | $62,219 |
| 29 | Fond du Lac | $62,079 |
| 30 | Pewaukee | $62,039 |
| 31 | Wausau | $61,895 |
| 32 | South Milwaukee | $61,857 |
| 33 | Eau Claire | $61,854 |
| 34 | Pleasant Prairie | $61,848 |
| 35 | Menomonie | $61,784 |
| 36 | Whitewater | $61,779 |
| 37 | Wauwatosa | $61,724 |
| 38 | Germantown | $61,681 |
| 39 | Marshfield | $61,656 |
| 40 | River Falls | $61,353 |
| 41 | Mequon | $60,849 |
| 42 | Platteville | $60,844 |
| 43 | Racine | $60,559 |
| 44 | Mount Pleasant | $60,470 |
| 45 | Middleton | $60,198 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $59,698 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Wisconsin?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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