Physical Therapist Salary in Waukesha, WI: $106,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Waukesha, WI earns a median $106,894/year (≈ $51.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Waukesha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $114,448 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukesha, Wisconsin, physical therapists can expect a stimulating compensation environment highlighted by a 2026 median annual salary of $106,894, slightly surpassing the national median of $105,288. The local salary range spans from $78,513 at the lower end (P10) to $135,438 at the high end (P90), reflecting diverse employment settings that include outpatient chains, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. Given the outpatient chains that dominate the market, such as ATI and Athletico, therapists may find themselves navigating potential pay disparities based on whether they are employed in private practices, home health agencies, or hospital rehab settings. This competitive salary structure, derived from 2025 BLS estimates while considering local cost-of-living factors, indicates a growing demand for physical therapists in this region.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,513 | $37.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,529 | $42.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,894 | $51.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,423 | $59.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,438 | $65.11 |
Median Salary Position
1.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukesha
In Waukesha, WI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,925 (2026 est.). At $106,894, the local median is 1.53% above the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Waukesha: You'd be above the median
How Waukesha Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Waukesha median: $106,894/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukesha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $102,488 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | +1.53% more |
Physical Therapists in Waukesha, WI earn a median of $106,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.53% higher than the national median of $105,288 and 4.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $102,488.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukesha 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.
Waukesha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $106,894 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,448 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,805
2025 BLS Actual
$104,328
2026 Current Est.
$106,894
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,399 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,079 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,231 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,141 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,328 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,524 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukesha metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $90,805 (2019) to $104,328 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,524 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,719 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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) | $78,513 – $87,529 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,529 – $106,894 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,894 – $123,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,423 – $135,438 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Waukesha
Taking a closer look at the local job market, only 14 physical therapists are currently employed in Waukesha, creating a tight-knit professional community. The cost-of-living index at 93.4 suggests that while salaries are competitive, the interpretation of these earnings is nuanced by local economic factors that afford a more substantial purchasing power. Among the various employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often offer the most lucrative pay, especially those linked with larger chains that may incentivize productivity through bonuses. The range in earnings is influenced by factors such as the expected number of patient visits and variances in practice models, including cash-pay versus insurance arrangements. To maximize income potential in Waukesha, physical therapists are encouraged to pursue additional board certifications like OCS or SCS, consider clinic ownership opportunities, and strategize patient load management to align with productivity expectations.
More salary data for Waukesha, 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 $104,328 for physical therapistsin the Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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