Entry-Level Physical Therapist Salary in Superior, WI: $78,130 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapists entering the Superior, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $78,130 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1123, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Superior's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $83,651 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($98,088) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting salaries for physical therapists entering the field in Superior, Wisconsin are projected to be around $78,130 in 2026, which creates a noticeable gap compared to the median annual salary of $98,088 for the area. New graduates should have realistic expectations regarding their initial pay; after the first few years in the industry, especially as they gain experience and refine their skills, many can anticipate growth to the 25th percentile, earning about $84,398. Given the city's outlook and its current salary structure, Superior presents a decent job market for newcomers to the profession, with a modest annual growth rate of 2.46% in the sector, allowing for career advancement opportunities as they familiarize themselves with local healthcare practices and gain hands-on experience.
About the Superior Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Superior
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Superior
Entry-level physical therapists in Superior, WI typically start between $78,130 and $84,398 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $50,429 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $98,088 — 6.84% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Wisconsin of $110,000 represents just 140.79% of the starting physical therapist pay ($78,130/year) in Superior. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Tuition varies substantially between public in-state DPT programs and private institutions; most programs require a prerequisite bachelor's degree.
PT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Superior
- 1Research the Superior market: entry-level physical therapist pay ranges from $78,130 to $84,398, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Superior, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Superior for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Superior's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Compensation Range
The physical therapist wage spread in Superior is $50,429 ( 64.54%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $78,130, experienced hygienists can earn up to $128,559.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,407
2025 BLS Actual
$76,254
2026 Current Est.
$78,130
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Superior (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,407 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,219 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,254 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,130 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,052 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Superior, WI grew 24.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $61,407 in 2019 to $76,254 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $80,052. New graduates entering the Superior job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Superior 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Superior
Several employers in Superior actively seek to hire new DPT graduates, particularly outpatient orthopedic chains, which form the backbone of entry-level opportunities. Facilities such as ATI, Select Medical, and Athletico are known for structured productivity models that can help new therapists progress quickly, despite offering lower starting pay compared to hospital systems. Additionally, hospitals might provide residency programs that help secure board certification, while skilled nursing facilities like Genesis and RehabCare could offer more attractive starting salaries. Credentials such as recent DPT degrees from CAPTE-accredited programs, successful NPTE exam completion, and active memberships with the APTA can further enhance earning potential. Ambitious new graduates should consider pursuing optional residencies or fellowships for board specialization (OCS/SCS) to improve their marketability. Realistically, as new therapists establish their careers in this competitive environment, they can look forward to salary increases reflected in a gradual climb through the salary spectrum within their first few years in practice.
More salary data for Superior, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Superior. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Superior 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov