Physical Therapist Salary in Onalaska, WI: $101,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Onalaska, WI earns a median $101,289/year (≈ $48.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Onalaska's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $108,446 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual salary for physical therapists in Onalaska, Wisconsin, is projected to be $101,289. This figure sits slightly lower than the national median of $105,288, reflecting the dynamics of regional healthcare compensation influenced by local productivity standards. The salary range for physical therapists in the area varies significantly, with the lower end at $78,841 and the upper end reaching $120,788. These projections, derived from analyses based on 2025 BLS data and tailored to regional economic factors, need to be contextualized against an industry that increasingly pressures productivity, often measured by the number of visits per day that physical therapists are expected to manage. As such, the compensation landscape will likely evolve, shaped by the demand for cost-effective patient care delivery in Onalaska's healthcare system.
About the Onalaska Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,841 | $37.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,626 | $43.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,289 | $48.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,483 | $54.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,788 | $58.07 |
Median Salary Position
3.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Onalaska
In Onalaska, WI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,947 (2026 est.). At $101,289, the local median is 3.8% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Onalaska: You'd be above the median
How Onalaska Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Onalaska median: $101,289/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Onalaska Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $102,519 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.80% less |
Physical Therapists in Onalaska, WI earn a median of $101,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $102,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Onalaska has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Onalaska, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,289 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,446 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,043
2025 BLS Actual
$98,857
2026 Current Est.
$101,289
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Onalaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,043 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,553 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,008 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,923 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,855 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,857 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,781 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Onalaska metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,043 (2019) to $98,857 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,781 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,738 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Onalaska 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,841 – $89,626 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,626 – $101,289 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,289 – $113,483 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,483 – $120,788 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Onalaska
Across Onalaska, the market for physical therapists presents a competitive yet constrained environment, represented by only four professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index for Onalaska stands at 93.4, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average. This reality enhances purchasing power, making the projected salary more appealing when adjusted for local living costs. Among potential employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide salaries that can be more lucrative, particularly those operated by larger chains like Athletico, which may offer productivity bonuses amid tight reimbursement schedules. The breadth in pay can be largely attributed to factors such as board certifications (like OCS or SCS), clinic ownership stakes, and whether a provider operates in a cash-pay model versus insurance-based practice. Physical therapists looking to maximize their pay should consider obtaining specialized certifications and aligning themselves with clinics that emphasize high-quality, high-volume care in the region.
More salary data for Onalaska, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $98,857 for physical therapistsin the Onalaska metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Onalaska 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