Physical Therapist Salary in Wisconsin: $104,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $104,050/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $111,403 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($104,328), Sheboygan ($104,110), Milwaukee ($103,030).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in Wisconsin is projected to be $104,050, slightly below the national median of $105,288, marking a difference of -1.2%. The salary range across cities shows significant variation, with Waukesha at the top earning $106,894 and Wisconsin Rapids at the bottom with $93,990, creating a salary gap of $12,904. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for physical therapy services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. In Wisconsin, physical therapists must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence both opportunities and compensation. The demand for physical therapy professionals is driven by an aging population and a growing focus on rehabilitation and preventative care. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.46%, the job market for physical therapists in Wisconsin remains positive, with a total of 4,609 employed in the field. Key cities for career opportunities include Sheboygan at $106,671, Milwaukee at $105,565, Madison at $105,339, and Appleton at $104,427.
Wisconsin Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $70,892 (lowest entry-level) to $135,438 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin physical therapists earn 1.18% less than the national median ($-1,238/year difference).
Wisconsin Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Wisconsin range from $82,227 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,708 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,050. The Wisconsin median is $1,238 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $50.02/hr. Approximately 4,609 physical therapists are employed across 46 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,916
2025 BLS Actual
$101,552
2026 Current Est.
$104,050
2019–2027 Growth
+21.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wisconsin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,916 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,011 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,422 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,959 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,552 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 15.5% from $87,916 (2019) to $101,552 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,693 (21.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $93,990 |
| Middleton | $94,777 |
| Platteville | $95,794 |
| Mequon | $95,802 |
| River Falls | $96,595 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $106,894 | 93.4 | $114,448 |
| Sheboygan | $106,671 | 94.014 | $113,463 |
| Appleton | $104,427 | 92.419 | $112,993 |
| Fond du Lac | $102,593 | 91.643 | $111,949 |
| Beloit | $103,546 | 93.4 | $110,863 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $82,227 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,050 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $126,708 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $106,894 |
| 2 | Sheboygan | $106,671 |
| 3 | Milwaukee | $105,565 |
| 4 | Madison | $105,339 |
| 5 | Appleton | $104,427 |
| 6 | Beloit | $103,546 |
| 7 | Janesville | $103,310 |
| 8 | West Allis | $102,594 |
| 9 | Fond du Lac | $102,593 |
| 10 | Oshkosh | $102,511 |
| 11 | Wausau | $102,368 |
| 12 | Green Bay | $102,306 |
| 13 | Racine | $102,163 |
| 14 | Mount Pleasant | $102,011 |
| 15 | Fitchburg | $101,914 |
| 16 | Greenfield | $101,906 |
| 17 | Kenosha | $101,599 |
| 18 | Onalaska | $101,289 |
| 19 | Eau Claire | $101,036 |
| 20 | Menomonee Falls | $101,022 |
| 21 | Brookfield | $100,784 |
| 22 | West Bend | $100,728 |
| 23 | De Pere | $100,649 |
| 24 | New Berlin | $100,458 |
| 25 | La Crosse | $99,950 |
| 26 | Sun Prairie | $99,606 |
| 27 | Caledonia | $99,336 |
| 28 | Muskego | $99,122 |
| 29 | Stevens Point | $98,661 |
| 30 | Franklin | $98,549 |
| 31 | Oak Creek | $98,239 |
| 32 | Superior | $98,088 |
| 33 | Manitowoc | $98,040 |
| 34 | Pewaukee | $97,675 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $97,389 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $97,374 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $97,274 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $97,266 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $97,180 |
| 40 | Germantown | $97,113 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $97,074 |
| 42 | River Falls | $96,595 |
| 43 | Mequon | $95,802 |
| 44 | Platteville | $95,794 |
| 45 | Middleton | $94,777 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $93,990 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Wisconsin cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Wisconsin
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Wisconsin?
How many physical therapists are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and 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 2.46%, 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