Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $61,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Eau Claire, WI earns a median $61,854/year (≈ $29.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Eau Claire's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $66,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,854, which demonstrates a notable disparity compared to the national median salary of $70,247. The salary range for this profession in Eau Claire varies considerably, from $48,766 at the 10th percentile to $79,153 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects an evolving landscape in the healthcare sector, particularly in the wake of recent structural changes affecting outpatient and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) following the Medicare cuts. These adjustments have shaped the demand for PTAs and the corresponding compensation throughout the local job market, making Eau Claire an area of interest for those considering this career path.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,766 | $23.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,118 | $27.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,854 | $29.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,719 | $35.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,153 | $38.05 |
Median Salary Position
11.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Eau Claire
In Eau Claire, WI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,387 (2026 est.). At $61,854, the local median is 11.95% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Eau Claire: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Eau Claire Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Eau Claire median: $61,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Eau Claire Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $65,109 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.95% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $61,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.95% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,109.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Eau Claire has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Eau Claire, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.796 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,656 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,400
2025 BLS Actual
$60,210
2026 Current Est.
$61,854
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Eau Claire metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 6.8% from $56,400 (2019) to $60,210 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,142 (12.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,766 – $57,118 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,118 – $61,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,854 – $73,719 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,719 – $79,153 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Eau Claire
With 50 physical therapist assistants currently employed in Eau Claire, the local job market shows modest growth potential, estimated at an annual rate of 2.73%. The cost of living index in the area is 92.796, indicating that while salaries are relatively lower than the national average, they are somewhat balanced by a more affordable living standard. Among the local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospitals generally offer the highest pay, while positions in skilled nursing facilities may reflect tighter budgets due to the aforementioned Medicare cuts impacting reimbursement rates. The pay scale often varies based on work settings, productivity expectations, and weekend shifts, all of which can substantially influence take-home pay. For those aiming to maximize their physical therapist assistant pay in Eau Claire, pursuing additional certifications or transitioning to a DPT pathway might yield advantages in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Eau Claire, WI in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Eau Claire?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,210 for physical therapist assistantsin the Eau Claire metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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