Physical Therapists in Wisconsin. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Wisconsin's median wage for Physical Therapists was $100,440 in 2024, about 2% below the US median of $102,556. That gap is narrow enough that it barely registers in practice, but it does sit on the lower side of the national figure.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners tells a more complete story. Physical Therapists at the 10th percentile earned $78,870, while those at the 90th earned $121,780. Top earners make about 54% more than those just entering the field. That range reflects real differences in setting and seniority: outpatient clinics, hospital systems, and home health each pay differently, and years of experience compound that gap over time.
Cost of living shifts the picture in Wisconsin's favor. The state's cost-of-living index sits at 92.7, meaning everyday expenses run about 7% below the national baseline. After adjusting for that, Wisconsin's $100,440 median stretches further than the same number would in a higher-cost state. What the money actually buys here is closer to a nominal $108,000 in an average-cost market.
BLS projects employment for Physical Therapists to grow 10.9% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. Wisconsin has an older population than many states, and demand tied to aging tends to be steady rather than cyclical. The state employed about 5,240 Physical Therapists in 2024, a workforce large enough that openings appear consistently rather than in concentrated bursts.
Salary distribution
Where Wisconsin physical therapists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $88,320 and $114,070, with a median of $101,840.
Physical Therapists in Wisconsin: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 25 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $76,149. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 25 | $76,149 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Physical Therapists in Wisconsin. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandison Management, Inc. | Physical Therapist | 24 | $76,149 |
| PT Solutions Holdings, LLC | Physical Therapist | 1 | $85,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Physical Therapist at Grandison Management, Inc.$76,149ReedsburgWage Level IDecided Jun 30, 2025I-200-25174-120694
- Physical Therapist at PT Solutions Holdings, LLC$85,000FranklinWage Level IDecided Nov 27, 2024I-200-24325-487456
- Physical Therapist at Grandison Management, Inc.$77,480Hales CornerWage Level IDecided Jun 30, 2025I-200-25174-119952
- Physical Therapist at Grandison Management, Inc.$72,758MadisonWage Level IDecided Jun 30, 2025I-200-25174-120408
- Physical Therapist at Grandison Management, Inc.$76,149WaupunWage Level IDecided Jun 30, 2025I-200-25174-120662
- Physical Therapist at Grandison Management, Inc.$77,480BrookfieldWage Level IDecided Jun 27, 2025I-200-25171-116303
- Physical Therapist at Grandison Management, Inc.$76,149BarabooWage Level IDecided Jun 27, 2025I-200-25171-116202
- Physical Therapist at Grandison Management, Inc.$81,058Pleasant Prairie,Wage Level IDecided Jun 27, 2025I-200-25171-114909
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Physical Therapists pay by experience level in Wisconsin
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Physical Therapists in Wisconsin, by industry
Median offered wage across 25 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $76,149.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Grandison Management, Inc. | 24 | $76,149 |
| Healthcare | PT Solutions Holdings, LLC | 1 | $85,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Wisconsin over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- 02
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- 03
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- 04
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- 05
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- 06
Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
- 07
Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
- 08
Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+10.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Wisconsin
Metro-level salary data for physical therapists in major Wisconsin metropolitan areas.
- Milwaukee$103,030
Compare Physical Therapists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Wisconsin with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physical Therapists in Wisconsin?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physical Therapists in Wisconsin is $101,840.
- How does Wisconsin compare to the national median for Physical Therapists?
- The Wisconsin median is -2.6% versus the BLS national figure of $104,506.
- What is the salary range for Physical Therapists in Wisconsin?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $80,740 and the 90th-percentile at $124,640, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physical Therapists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 10.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physical Therapists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.