Physical Therapist Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $93,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earns a median $93,990/year (≈ $45.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Wisconsin Rapids's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $100,632 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $93,990, reflecting the pressures of productivity expectations and visit volumes common in outpatient settings. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $75,488 at the lower end to $114,204 for those in top roles, as determined by local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional cost factors. This compensation is approximately 10.73% lower than the national median of $105,288, suggesting that while opportunities exist, market pressures may influence both earnings and job satisfaction in the local landscape of physical therapy.
About the Wisconsin Rapids Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,488 | $36.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,747 | $37.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,990 | $45.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,617 | $51.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,204 | $54.91 |
Median Salary Position
10.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wisconsin Rapids
In Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,716 (2026 est.). At $93,990, the local median is 10.73% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wisconsin Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wisconsin Rapids Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Wisconsin Rapids median: $93,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wisconsin Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $102,497 | -8.30% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.73% less |
Physical Therapists in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $93,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.73% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $102,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wisconsin Rapids 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.
Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $93,990 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,632 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,842
2025 BLS Actual
$91,733
2026 Current Est.
$93,990
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Wisconsin Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,244 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,359 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,785 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,733 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,302 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin Rapids metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $79,842 (2019) to $91,733 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,460 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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) | $75,488 – $78,747 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,747 – $93,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,990 – $106,617 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,617 – $114,204 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Wisconsin Rapids
With only five physical therapists currently employed in Wisconsin Rapids, the local job market remains somewhat narrow, but offers unique advantages due to a cost-of-living index of 93.4, which indicates a lower cost of living compared to the national average. This economic reality enhances the take-home purchasing power for physical therapists in the area. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico and home health agencies tend to feature the highest salaries, benefiting from performance incentives linked to patient visit metrics and reimbursement models. The disparity in pay can also be influenced by specialties, such as board certifications in Orthopedic or Sports Clinical Specialist (OCS/SCS), and which practice model—cash-pay vs. insurance reimbursement—can define the financial success of the clinic. For those looking to maximize earnings in Wisconsin Rapids, strategies might include pursuing advanced certifications, seeking positions in settings that prioritize high patient throughput, and negotiating contracts that reflect performance-based pay structures.
More salary data for Wisconsin Rapids, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Wisconsin Rapids?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Wisconsin Rapids?
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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 $91,733 for physical therapistsin the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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