Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Green Bay, WI: $76,647 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Green Bay, WI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $76,647/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Green Bay's price premium (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $82,340 in average-cost America. The 17% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the potential earnings for top-tier physical therapist assistants in Green Bay are notably compelling, with the 90th percentile salary reaching $76,647. This figure stands out within the local market, especially when compared to experienced professionals’ median salary of $65,326. The gap clearly illustrates the experience premium that senior-level PTAs can command in Green Bay. Achieving this top physical therapist assistant salary in Green Bay typically requires a combination of extensive clinical experience—usually over seven years—and specialization in high-demand areas. Professionals who focus on orthopedic rehabilitation, geriatric care, or sports medicine tend to reach these peak pay levels more readily.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Green Bay
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Green Bay earn between $75,507 and $76,647 per year (2026 est.). This $23,988 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Green Bay median of $65,326 sits 7.01% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Green Bay | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $65,326 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $75,507 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $76,647 | $91,954 |
In Green Bay, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 17.33% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Green Bay
Advanced Certifications in Wisconsin
WI physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $65,326 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Green Bay employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Green Bay command premium compensation, often reaching the $75,507–$76,647 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Green Bay metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Green Bay with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wisconsin who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Green Bay
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGreen Bay ranks #37 of 46 Wisconsin cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $76,647).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Green Bay ($76,647) is 3.79% below the Wisconsin average P90 ($79,664).
2019 BLS Actual
$64,800
2025 BLS Actual
$74,610
2026 Current Est.
$76,647
2019–2027 Growth
+21.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Green Bay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,647 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,739 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Green Bay saw their compensation grow 15.1% from $64,800 in 2019 to $74,610 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $78,739 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Green Bay
Analysis of senior physical therapist assistant pay in WI reveals that those who hold advanced credentials and specialize in high-need areas can significantly impact their compensation. Specializations such as orthopedic therapy, geriatric rehabilitation, and sports medicine not only enhance the quality of care provided but also enable PTAs to negotiate better salaries. Employer types also play a vital role in income differentiation; outpatient orthopedic clinics and specialized pediatric therapy programs tend to offer more competitive compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities where the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has led to tighter budgets. Furthermore, career advancement opportunities such as lead PTA positions or transitioning into bridge programs for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) can further elevate pay. PTAs with an associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and passing the NPTAE national exam often find additional opportunities for growth, especially when seeking advanced proficiency credentials through APTA. Factors like work setting, weekend work, supervision responsibilities, and productivity expectations also contribute to the complexity of salary negotiation at this advanced level.
More salary data for Green Bay, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Green Bay in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Green Bay?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Green Bay?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Green Bay?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Green Bay?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $74,610 for physical therapist assistants in the Green Bay metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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