Physical Therapist Pay

Green Bay vs South Milwaukee: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Green Bay, WI and South Milwaukee, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Green Bay, WI
$102,306
$49.19/hr
South Milwaukee, WI
$97,389
$46.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WISouth Milwaukee, WI
Median Salary$102,306$97,389
Hourly Rate$49.19$46.82
Entry Level (P10)$83,730$75,779
25th Percentile$87,757$82,019
75th Percentile$116,876$108,805
Top Earner (P90)$128,208$124,794
Total Employed3406
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($102,306) and South Milwaukee ($97,389) physical therapist salaries.Green BaySouth MilwaukeeMedian Salary$102,306$97,389Entry Level (P10)$83,730$75,779Top Earner (P90)$128,208$124,794US Median $105,288

Verdict

Green Bay, WI offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Green Bay and South Milwaukee is $4,917 (5.05%). Green Bay's median is -2.83% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Green Bay spans $44,478,South Milwaukee spans $49,015. South Milwaukee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$83,730
P25$87,757
Median$102,306
P75$116,876
P90 (Top)$128,208
South Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$75,779
P25$82,019
Median$97,389
P75$108,805
P90 (Top)$124,794

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Green Bay ($109,905 effective) pays 5.40% more than South Milwaukee ($104,271 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $102,306
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $109,905
South Milwaukee
Nominal: $97,389
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $104,271

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Higher median salary ($102,306/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,208)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,905)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose South Milwaukee if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Green Bay grew 10.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.4% growth in South Milwaukee over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+10.9%

$90,050 (2019) → $99,850 (2025)

South Milwaukee, WI

+16.4%

$81,635 (2024) → $95,051 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Green Bay or South Milwaukee?

Green Bay has a higher median physical therapist salary at $102,306/year, compared to South Milwaukee at $97,389/year — a difference of $4,917 (5.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Green Bay and South Milwaukee?

Green Bay physical therapists earn $49.19/hr while South Milwaukee hygienists earn $46.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Green Bay to South Milwaukee as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and South Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $109,905, South Milwaukee = $104,271), job availability (340 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Green Bay vs South Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $83,730 in Green Bay and $75,779 in South Milwaukee. The Green Bay area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov