Physical Therapist salary in Wisconsin
Physical Therapists in Wisconsin earn a median of $101,840 a year ($48.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,640 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $102,760. Wisconsin ranks 19th of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 1.9 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,740 | $38.82 |
| 25th percentile | $88,320 | $42.46 |
| Median | $101,840 | $48.96 |
| 75th percentile | $114,070 | $54.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,640 | $59.92 |
| Average (mean) | $102,210 | $49.14 |
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 | $8,486.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,243.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,916.92 |
| Weekly | $1,958.46 |
| Hourly | $48.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan, WI | $104,110 | 130 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $103,030 | 1,710 |
| Madison, WI | $102,810 | 900 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,530 | $45.93 |
| Physicians, All Other | $391,740 | $188.34 |
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | $71.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,980 | $63.45 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,540 | $46.41 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,950 | $64.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| Dentists, General | $193,690 | $93.12 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,210 | $40.48 |
| Veterinarian | $108,780 | $52.30 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $290,640 | $139.73 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $367,160 | $176.52 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,930 | $36.03 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for physical therapists in Wisconsin is $101,840 a year, or $48.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of physical therapists in Wisconsin earn at least $124,640 a year. The top 25% earn $114,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,740 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $88,320 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Wisconsin?
About 5,580 physical therapists are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.