Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $61,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $61,724/year (≈ $29.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $66,086 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, can anticipate a median annual salary of $61,724, which is notably lower than the national median of $70,247, reflecting a difference of approximately 12.13%. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $44,903 at the 10th percentile to $79,288 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying compensation levels based on experience, work setting, and productivity expectations. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations. With productivity heavily influencing earnings—particularly in busy outpatient settings where visits-per-day are a focal point—individuals in this field need to remain efficient and effective to maximize their compensation in the competitive Wauwatosa market.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,903 | $21.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,703 | $26.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,724 | $29.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,961 | $34.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,288 | $38.12 |
Median Salary Position
12.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,385 (2026 est.). At $61,724, the local median is 12.13% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wauwatosa Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $61,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $65,110 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -12.13% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $61,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.13% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,110.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa 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.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,724 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,086 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,657
2025 BLS Actual
$60,084
2026 Current Est.
$61,724
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,657 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,519 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,758 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,155 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,306 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,897 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $51,657 (2019) to $60,084 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,752 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $44,903 – $54,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,703 – $61,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,724 – $70,961 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,961 – $79,288 |
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 Wauwatosa
Analyzing the job market for physical therapist assistants in Wauwatosa reveals a stable employment rate, with 10 professionals currently in the area. The cost of living index at 93.4 suggests that living expenses are below the national average, which allows for a relatively favorable purchasing power regarding the compensation offered. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally provide the most competitive pay, followed by skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospital inpatient rehab settings. Factors contributing to the pay variance include the higher productivity expectations in outpatient environments, potential weekend shift premiums, and supervisory roles required for PTAs. With the ongoing impact of the CMS cut in Medicare reimbursements for PTA services, it is advisable for physical therapist assistants to seek additional certifications or consider employment in environments less affected by these cuts—such as pediatric clinics or school therapy programs—to help improve their financial outlook in Wauwatosa, WI.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $60,084 for physical therapist assistantsin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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