Physical Therapist Salary in Wauwatosa, WI: $97,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Wauwatosa, WI earns a median $97,180/year (≈ $46.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Wauwatosa's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $104,047 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for physical therapists in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, stands at $97,180. This reflects a competitive pay scale when viewed alongside the broader national figure of $105,288, especially given the local salary range of $75,945 at the 10th percentile to $125,408 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, underscore the pressures physical therapists face in managing high productivity expectations within various work settings. As Wauwatosa contains distinct opportunities in outpatient clinics, hospitals, and specialized rehab facilities, these dynamics play a significant role in determining local compensation levels.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,945 | $36.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,538 | $39.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,444 | $55.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,408 | $60.29 |
Median Salary Position
7.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wauwatosa
In Wauwatosa, WI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,463 (2026 est.). At $97,180, the local median is 7.7% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wauwatosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wauwatosa Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Wauwatosa median: $97,180/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wauwatosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $102,511 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -7.70% less |
Physical Therapists in Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $97,180 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.70% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $102,511.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wauwatosa 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.
Wauwatosa, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $97,180 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,047 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$82,553
2025 BLS Actual
$94,847
2026 Current Est.
$97,180
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,553 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,002 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,257 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,195 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,847 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,571 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wauwatosa metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $82,553 (2019) to $94,847 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,571 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,018 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wauwatosa 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) | $75,945 – $82,538 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,538 – $97,180 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,180 – $114,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,444 – $125,408 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Wauwatosa
Focusing on the local job market, Wauwatosa currently has 10 physical therapists employed, which presents a unique environment where supply and demand influence salaries. The city's cost-of-living index of 93.4 indicates that healthcare professionals may enjoy relatively higher take-home pay when compared to national averages. Often, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico and various hospital systems emerge as top employers, with their payment structures adjusted according to productivity metrics and visitation rates. Earnings can fluctuate due to factors like board certifications (e.g., OCS, SCS) that provide stipend increases and the contrasting remuneration between cash-pay versus insurance-based practices. To maximize physical therapist pay in Wauwatosa, focusing on productivity benchmarks, pursuing advanced certifications, and considering employment at more lucrative providers could yield significant benefits.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Wauwatosa, WI in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Wauwatosa?
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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 $94,847 for physical therapistsin the Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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