Physical Therapist Assistant in Wisconsin: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Wisconsin employs 1,650 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $64,080 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Wisconsin licensing picture, and where to train.
What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Wisconsin (May 2025)
- Wisconsin median pay
- $64,080 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $51,960
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $73,210
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $77,440
- Employed in Wisconsin
- 1,650
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $65,510 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Wisconsin markets:
- Minneapolis
- $69,790 (730 employed)
- Milwaukee
- $65,630 (480 employed)
- Duluth
- $64,900 (90 employed)
- Appleton
- $64,240 (50 employed)
- Green Bay
- $63,590 (100 employed)
- Madison
- $63,380 (180 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Wisconsin
Prices in Wisconsin run about 6% below the national average (cost-of-living index 94.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,080 median stretches to roughly $68,098 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Wisconsin (2024–2034)
Wisconsin is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +21.2%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 370 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Wisconsin License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (DSPS).
- Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
- Apply to the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board through DSPS.
Official requirements: Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (DSPS) →
Training in Wisconsin
A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Wisconsin include:
- Blackhawk Technical College — Associate
- Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa — Associate
- Chippewa Valley Technical College — Associate
- Fox Valley Technical College — Associate
Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Wisconsin
Real Wisconsin outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:
- Rehab Resources — Brookfield
- Cora Physical Therapy Burlington — Burlington
- Powerback Rehabilitation Chilton — Chilton
- Cora Physical Therapy Cudahy — Cudahy
- Cerebral Palsy — Green Bay
- Greenfield Rehabilitation Agency — Green Bay
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.
Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.
Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
First Steps
Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Wisconsin?
The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Wisconsin is $64,080 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,960, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,440. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Wisconsin?
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (DSPS). Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Wisconsin?
Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
Which Wisconsin metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?
Among Wisconsin metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $69,790, followed by Milwaukee ($65,630), Duluth ($64,900). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Wisconsin?
Real Wisconsin options include Blackhawk Technical College, Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa, Chippewa Valley Technical College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +21.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 370 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Wisconsin statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board (DSPS) (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Wisconsin wages · Wisconsin licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.