Physical Therapist salary in Madison, WI
Physical Therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $102,810 a year ($49.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 900 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,220 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $102,760. Pay here is 1% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $101,840. There are 2.2 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $103,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,340 | $38.62 |
| 25th percentile | $88,780 | $42.68 |
| Median | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| 75th percentile | $118,060 | $56.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,220 | $59.24 |
| Average (mean) | $103,220 | $49.63 |
Half of physical therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,567.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,283.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,954.23 |
| Weekly | $1,977.12 |
| Hourly | $49.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan, WI | $104,110 | 130 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $103,030 | 1,710 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $102,450 | 3,360 |
| Appleton, WI | $101,920 | 180 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $100,830 | 150 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $100,130 | 60 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $100,050 | 120 |
| Wausau, WI | $99,910 | 90 |
| Green Bay, WI | $99,850 | 340 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $99,710 | 160 |
| Kenosha, WI | $99,160 | 190 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $98,610 | 170 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $97,550 | 200 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $96,690 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,670 | $46.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $133,080 | $63.98 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,530 | $39.20 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,250 | $36.18 |
| Dentists, General | $176,460 | $84.84 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $329,670 | $158.50 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $340,150 | $163.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1123. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Madison, WI metro area is $102,810 a year, or $49.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $123,220 a year. The top 25% earn $118,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,340 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $88,780 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Madison, WI?
About 900 physical therapists are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.