Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Madison, WI
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $63,380 a year ($30.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,530 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 1% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $64,080. There are 0.43 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $64,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| 25th percentile | $59,520 | $28.61 |
| Median | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| 75th percentile | $73,890 | $35.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,530 | $37.27 |
| Average (mean) | $64,810 | $31.16 |
Half of physical therapist assistants 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 | $5,281.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,640.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,437.69 |
| Weekly | $1,218.85 |
| Hourly | $30.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $69,900 | 50 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $69,790 | 730 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,630 | 480 |
| Kenosha, WI | $64,940 | 50 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $64,900 | 90 |
| Appleton, WI | $64,240 | 50 |
| Green Bay, WI | $63,590 | 100 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $63,180 | 80 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $61,270 | 40 |
| Wausau, WI | $60,250 | 40 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $60,210 | 50 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $58,950 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $54,870 | $26.38 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $39,420 | $18.95 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Nursing Assistant | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,750 | $23.44 |
| Dental Assistant | $49,930 | $24.01 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $38,490 | $18.51 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $50,120 | $24.10 |
| Massage Therapist | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $42,350 | $20.36 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. 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 assistant make in Madison, WI?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Madison, WI metro area is $63,380 a year, or $30.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $77,530 a year. The top 25% earn $73,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,630 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $59,520 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Madison, WI?
About 180 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.