PayByState

Wisconsin · BLS SOC 29-1123

Physical Therapist salary in Wisconsin

Median $95,720 · Top 10% earn $113,570+ · Roughly 4,399 workers in Wisconsin. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Wisconsin median
$95,720
$46.02/hr
Top 10%
$113,570
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$65,140
Entry-level range
Real pay
$103,258
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.7)

Wisconsin pays close to the U.S. median for physical therapists — $95,720 versus the national median of $99,710. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 4,399 physical therapists.

What drives physical therapist pay in Wisconsin

Wisconsin pays close to the U.S. median for physical therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Wisconsin ranks #26 of 50 states

Where Wisconsin sits in the national distribution for physical therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Wisconsin
#25 Utah $96,720 +$1,000
#24 Pennsylvania $97,720 +$2,000
#23 Virginia $98,710 +$2,990
#26 Wisconsin (this page) $95,720 —
#27 Michigan $94,720 −$1,000
#28 Montana $94,720 −$1,000
#29 North Dakota $94,720 −$1,000
See all 50 states →

Find Physical Therapist programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Wisconsin

The typical path is a doctor of physical therapy (dpt) + state license, taking about 36 months. Tuition ranges from $50,000 (community college) to $175,000 (private accelerated). On the Wisconsin median of $95,720, payback periods are typically 2.7 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Physical Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Wisconsin selected.

Physical Therapist salary in Wisconsin — FAQ

What is the average physical therapist salary in Wisconsin?
The median physical therapist salary in Wisconsin is $95,720 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $65,140; the top 10% earn $113,570 or more. About 4,399 people work in this role across the state.
How does Wisconsin physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
Wisconsin's median of $95,720 is $3,990 below the U.S. national median of $99,710. After adjusting for Wisconsin's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $103,258.
Is physical therapist a good career in Wisconsin?
On the data: Wisconsin employs roughly 4,399 physical therapists, with a median wage of $95,720 and the top decile clearing $113,570. The role is projected to grow +15% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for physical therapists in Wisconsin?
At the Wisconsin median of $95,720 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $46.02/hr. The top 10% earn around $54.60/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.32/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Wisconsin-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1123: Physical Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Wisconsin's RPP is 92.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.