Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Middleton, WI: $60,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Middleton, WI earns a median $60,198/year (≈ $28.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Middleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middleton, Wisconsin, the projected salary for a physical therapist assistant is set at $60,198 in 2026, which reflects a notable gap of 14.31% when compared to the national median of $70,247. The local salary range extends from $45,830 at the lower end (P10) to $75,787 at the upper echelon (P90), indicating a diverse market for employment opportunities. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account regional price adjustments and suggest that physical therapist assistants can expect to earn an hourly wage of approximately $28.94. For those considering the transition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, it’s important to recognize how this pathway can enhance lifetime earnings, especially in an area where the employment landscape for PTAs is tightly linked to Medicare reimbursement policies.
About the Middleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,830 | $22.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,660 | $26.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,198 | $28.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,475 | $32.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,787 | $36.44 |
Median Salary Position
14.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middleton
In Middleton, WI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,957 (2026 est.). At $60,198, the local median is 14.31% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middleton Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Middleton median: $60,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $65,079 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -14.31% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Middleton, WI earn a median of $60,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.31% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middleton has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,198 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,452 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,380
2025 BLS Actual
$58,598
2026 Current Est.
$60,198
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Middleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,791 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,913 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,539 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,598 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,841 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middleton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $50,380 (2019) to $58,598 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,841 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,461 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middleton 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) | $45,830 – $54,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,660 – $60,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,198 – $68,475 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,475 – $75,787 |
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 Middleton
Despite the competitive pay for physical therapist assistants, only six are currently employed in the Middleton area, which points to a limited local job market. Given the cost of living index of 93.4, potential employees enjoy slightly more purchasing power compared to the national average. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, both large chains and small private practices, generally offer the most lucrative positions. The disparity in pay can be attributed to several factors, including setting variations, productivity demands, and the impact of the Medicare 15% payment cut that affects PTAs in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings alike. To maximize earnings, job seekers should explore opportunities that provide PRN shifts or weekend work, as these often come with premium pay rates. Additionally, pursuing further education through PTA-to-DPT programs can enhance both career prospects and compensation potential in the long run.
More salary data for Middleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Middleton?
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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 $58,598 for physical therapist assistantsin the Middleton 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
Salary data for Middleton 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