Physical Therapist Pay

Menomonee Falls vs Milwaukee: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Menomonee Falls, WI
$101,022
$48.57/hr
Milwaukee, WI
$105,565
$50.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMenomonee Falls, WIMilwaukee, WI
Median Salary$101,022$105,565
Hourly Rate$48.57$50.75
Entry Level (P10)$76,628$85,134
25th Percentile$84,402$97,142
75th Percentile$117,459$116,354
Top Earner (P90)$124,817$128,249
Total Employed101,710
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Menomonee Falls ($101,022) and Milwaukee ($105,565) physical therapist salaries.Menomonee FallsMilwaukeeMedian Salary$101,022$105,565Entry Level (P10)$76,628$85,134Top Earner (P90)$124,817$128,249US Median $105,288

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Menomonee Falls.

The salary gap between Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee is $4,543 (4.50%). Milwaukee's median is +0.26% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Menomonee Falls spans $48,189,Milwaukee spans $43,115. Menomonee Falls has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Menomonee Falls
P10 (Entry)$76,628
P25$84,402
Median$101,022
P75$117,459
P90 (Top)$124,817
Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$85,134
P25$97,142
Median$105,565
P75$116,354
P90 (Top)$128,249

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($108,901 effective) pays 0.68% more than Menomonee Falls ($108,161 effective).

Menomonee Falls
Nominal: $101,022
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $108,161
Milwaukee
Nominal: $105,565
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $108,901

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Menomonee Falls if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($105,565/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,249)
  • Larger job market (1,710 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,901)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Menomonee Falls grew 16.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.7% growth in Milwaukee over the same period.

Menomonee Falls, WI

+16.4%

$84,680 (2024) → $98,597 (2025)

Milwaukee, WI

+16.7%

$88,250 (2019) → $103,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Menomonee Falls or Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median physical therapist salary at $105,565/year, compared to Menomonee Falls at $101,022/year — a difference of $4,543 (4.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee?

Menomonee Falls physical therapists earn $48.57/hr while Milwaukee hygienists earn $50.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Menomonee Falls to Milwaukee as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Menomonee Falls and Milwaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Menomonee Falls = $108,161, Milwaukee = $108,901), job availability (10 vs 1,710 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Menomonee Falls vs Milwaukee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $76,628 in Menomonee Falls and $85,134 in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

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