Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in South Milwaukee, WI: $61,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in South Milwaukee, WI earns a median $61,857/year (≈ $29.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in South Milwaukee's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $66,228 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For physical therapist assistants in South Milwaukee, the projected median salary of $61,857 in 2026 reflects the productivity-based compensation model typically seen in the field. With a salary range spanning from $44,684 at the 10th percentile to $78,909 at the 90th percentile, the earnings potential for PTAs varies significantly based on experience, workplace type, and patient volume. These local estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional economic factors. As the demand for physical therapy services continues to rise, job opportunities for PTAs in South Milwaukee are likely on the upswing, particularly within outpatient settings where visit frequency can directly influence income levels.
About the South Milwaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,684 | $21.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,414 | $26.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,857 | $29.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,402 | $32.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,909 | $37.94 |
Median Salary Position
11.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Milwaukee
In South Milwaukee, WI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,225 (2026 est.). At $61,857, the local median is 11.94% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Milwaukee: You'd be above the median
How South Milwaukee Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
South Milwaukee median: $61,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $65,112 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.94% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Milwaukee 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.
South Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,857 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,228 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$51,768
2025 BLS Actual
$60,213
2026 Current Est.
$61,857
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,768 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,631 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,873 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,015 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,213 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,546 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,768 (2019) to $60,213 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,546 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,778 (22.75%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,684 – $54,414 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,414 – $61,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,857 – $67,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,402 – $78,909 |
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 South Milwaukee
In South Milwaukee, the local job market for physical therapist assistants currently employs just six professionals, which indicates a tight-knit community where positions may be competitive. The area's cost-of-living index, sitting at 93.4, suggests that salaries afford a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Among potential employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer the highest pay, while skilled nursing facilities may lag due to regulatory impacts like the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for PTA services. Factors driving salary disparities include workplace settings, productivity expectations, and various operational efficiencies. For those entering the field, targeting outpatient clinics and considering PTA-to-DPT transition pathways could optimize earning potential in South Milwaukee, WI.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in South Milwaukee, WI in 2026?
Is South Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in South Milwaukee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in South Milwaukee?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in South Milwaukee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $60,213 for physical therapist assistantsin the South 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
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