Physical Therapist Salary in South Milwaukee, WI: $97,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in South Milwaukee, WI earns a median $97,389/year (≈ $46.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in South Milwaukee's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $104,271 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $97,389 in 2026, physical therapists in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, are positioned competitively within their field, though slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $75,779 at the 10th percentile to $124,794 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market for physical therapist pay in South Milwaukee WI. The figures presented are based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, adjusted for regional cost variances. As the healthcare landscape evolves, local clinics and hospitals will continue to shape compensation models, particularly as demand for efficient and high-quality patient care drives productivity expectations.
About the South Milwaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,779 | $36.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,019 | $39.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,389 | $46.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,805 | $52.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,794 | $60.00 |
Median Salary Position
7.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Milwaukee
In South Milwaukee, WI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,015 (2026 est.). At $97,389, the local median is 7.5% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Milwaukee Physical Therapist Pay Compares
South Milwaukee median: $97,389/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $102,515 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.50% less |
Physical Therapists in South Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $97,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $102,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Milwaukee 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.
South Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $97,389 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,271 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,730
2025 BLS Actual
$95,051
2026 Current Est.
$97,389
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in South Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,182 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,447 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,389 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,635 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,051 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,730 (2019) to $95,051 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,055 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Milwaukee 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) | $75,779 – $82,019 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,019 – $97,389 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,389 – $108,805 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,805 – $124,794 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in South Milwaukee
The job market for physical therapists in South Milwaukee remains quite concentrated, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, suggesting that the purchasing power for physical therapist pay is attractive relative to local expenses. Among the leading employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics—such as those operated by ATI, Athletico, and other private practices—tend to offer competitive wages, often incentivized through productivity bonuses. The widening salary range can be attributed to various factors, including productivity metrics (units per visit and visits per day), board certifications such as OCS or SCS, and differing practice models that influence reimbursement structures. For those aspiring to maximize their earnings in this South Milwaukee market, focusing on advanced certifications, considering cash-pay practice options, and gaining experience in high-demand settings may yield the most significant financial returns.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in South Milwaukee, WI in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in South Milwaukee?
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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 $95,051 for physical therapistsin the South Milwaukee 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 South Milwaukee 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