Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $67,422 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $67,422/year (≈ $32.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $69,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, the effective pay for physical therapist assistants reflects the local demand for their services. With a projected median annual salary of $67,422 for 2026, physical therapist assistants in this city earn slightly less than the national average of $70,247. Salaries range from $60,919 at the bottom end (P10) to $80,818 at the top (P90), illustrating the variability in compensation based on setting and experience. Factors such as visits per day and productivity expectations crucially shape these numbers, as more patients seen can lead to higher earnings. This pay structure is consistent with national trends, although Milwaukee’s unique market dynamics contribute to its distinctive salary patterns.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,919 | $29.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,919 | $30.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,422 | $32.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,020 | $36.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,818 | $38.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,899 (2026 est.). At $67,422, the local median is 4.02% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $67,422/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $65,079 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.02% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,422 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,552 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,970
2025 BLS Actual
$65,630
2026 Current Est.
$67,422
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,422 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 15.2% from $56,970 (2019) to $65,630 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,292 (21.58%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $60,919 – $63,919 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,919 – $67,422 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,422 – $76,020 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,020 – $80,818 |
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 Milwaukee
The local job market for physical therapist assistants is robust, with approximately 480 professionals currently employed in Milwaukee, WI. This relatively compact workforce faces a cost of living index of 96.937, which means that while salaries may not be at the highest end nationally, the purchasing power remains reasonably competitive. Employers such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities typically offer the strongest compensation packages among local sectors. The spread in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the type of care setting, evening and weekend shift premiums, and stringent supervision requirements mandated by operating under physical therapists. The impact of the 15% Medicare cut further complicates earnings in settings reliant on Medicare reimbursement, like skilled nursing facilities, making it essential for physical therapist assistants in Milwaukee to explore the best available opportunities to maximize their earnings potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Milwaukee, WI in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Milwaukee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Milwaukee?
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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 $65,630 for physical therapist assistantsin the Milwaukee 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