Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Kenosha, WI: $76,000 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Kenosha, WI — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $76,000/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Kenosha's price premium (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $75,160 in average-cost America. The 14% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
Kenosha’s senior physical therapist assistant pay reflects a competitive market for those with extensive experience in the field. In 2026, top earners can anticipate an impressive salary of $76,000, while the upper quartile (P75) sits at $67,761. The median annual salary of $66,713 illustrates a significant experience premium for those with over seven years in the profession, offering a substantial gap between average earnings and top-tier compensation. Achieving this level of pay involves not only years of dedicated practice but also a commitment to continuous education and specialized skills in areas such as orthopedics or geriatric care. Comparing with the national median of $70,247 reveals that Kenosha's experienced physical therapist assistants earn slightly less, emphasizing the importance of targeted career strategies to maximize compensation.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kenosha
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Kenosha earn between $67,761 and $76,000 per year (2026 est.). This $20,998 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Kenosha median of $66,713 sits 5.03% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Kenosha | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $66,713 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,761 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $76,000 | $91,954 |
In Kenosha, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 13.92% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Kenosha
Advanced Certifications in Wisconsin
WI physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $66,713 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Kenosha employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Kenosha command premium compensation, often reaching the $67,761–$76,000 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Kenosha 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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedKenosha ranks #38 of 46 Wisconsin cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $76,000).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Kenosha ($76,000) is 4.6% below the Wisconsin average P90 ($79,664).
2019 BLS Actual
$66,814
2025 BLS Actual
$73,980
2026 Current Est.
$76,000
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Kenosha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,814 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,161 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,443 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,980 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,000 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,074 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Kenosha saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $66,814 in 2019 to $73,980 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 $78,074 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kenosha 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 Kenosha
Diverse specializations within the field can lead to premium pay in Kenosha. Those skilled in orthopedic therapy, geriatric rehabilitation in skilled nursing facilities, pediatric care, sports medicine, or home health often find themselves among the highest compensated professionals in the area. Compensation also varies significantly depending on the type of employer; outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to pay more than positions in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies. Leadership roles, such as lead PTA or clinic operations supervisor, present additional advancement opportunities alongside educational pathways like PTA-to-DPT bridging programs. Furthermore, advanced credentials can enhance earning potential, particularly for those holding an associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program and a state PTA license. As the industry deals with the ramifications of a 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services, understanding compensation trends and non-salary factors—such as productivity expectations—becomes critical for senior physical therapists assistants navigating their career trajectory in Wisconsin.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Kenosha in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Kenosha?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Kenosha?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Kenosha?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Kenosha?
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
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 $73,980 for physical therapist assistants in the Kenosha 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, 2-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