Physical Therapist salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Physical Therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $103,030 a year ($49.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,170 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 2.1 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $103,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,090 | $39.95 |
| 25th percentile | $94,810 | $45.58 |
| Median | $103,030 | $49.53 |
| 75th percentile | $113,560 | $54.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,170 | $60.18 |
| Average (mean) | $103,920 | $49.96 |
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 | $8,585.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,292.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,962.69 |
| Weekly | $1,981.35 |
| Hourly | $49.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $103,030 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 salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sheboygan, WI | $104,110 | 130 |
| 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 |
See Physical Therapist pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| Physicians, All Other | $411,200 | $197.69 |
| Pharmacist | $153,340 | $73.72 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,350 | $64.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,780 | $47.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,020 | $45.20 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,040 | $64.92 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Dentists, General | $155,940 | $74.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $89,040 | $42.81 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Veterinarian | $117,780 | $56.62 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $287,350 | $138.15 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,660 | $37.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for physical therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $103,030 a year, or $49.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of physical therapists in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $125,170 a year. The top 25% earn $113,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,090 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $94,810 or less.
How many physical therapists work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 1,710 physical therapists are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.