How Much Does a Physical Therapist Make in Wisconsin in 2026?

A typical Physical Therapist in Wisconsin earns about $48.96 per hour, or $101,840 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that comes to roughly $8,487 a month and $1,958 a week. Full-time Physical Therapists across the state's hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers fall close to this range.

Wisconsin's typical pay runs about 1% below the national figure of $102,760, a modest gap rather than a wide one. That difference places the state 19th among all 51 states and territories ranked for this occupation. About 5,580 Physical Therapists work in Wisconsin, a workforce size that gives these pay figures a solid statistical base.

Entry-level positions in Wisconsin typically offer around $38.82 per hour, or about $80,740 a year, for Physical Therapists just starting out. Some newcomers land closer to $42.46 an hour, or $88,320 a year, depending on setting and location. Pay tends to move toward the typical $101,840 figure within the first several years on the job.

Experienced Physical Therapists in Wisconsin often earn upwards of $54.84 an hour, or around $114,070 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $59.92 an hour, or $124,640 a year. That leaves a $43,900 spread between entry-level and top-tier pay, shaped mostly by years of experience, practice setting, and city.

Wisconsin pay for Physical Therapists rose from $80,190 in 2015 to $101,840 in 2025, a gain of $21,650. That's a 27% increase over the decade, tracked through the latest government wage data. Growth wasn't perfectly steady; pay dipped slightly in 2016 before climbing in every year since.

Nationally, Physical Therapist pay rose 22% over the same ten years, so Wisconsin's climb outpaced the national trend. Pay has moved up steadily since 2015, with year-over-year gains in nine of the last ten years. That doesn't guarantee future increases, but it shows a consistent upward pattern for anyone starting a career in the state now.

Pay runs highest in Sheboygan, where Physical Therapists typically earn $104,110 a year, about 2% above the statewide figure. Waukesha and Milwaukee follow closely, both at $103,030 a year, with Madison close behind at $102,810 a year. These four cities sit close together near the top of the state's pay range.

Pay runs lowest in La Crosse, at $97,550 a year, a spread of $6,560 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas listed for the state. St. Paul, with 3,360 Physical Therapists, has the largest workforce among the metro areas measured. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and higher pay in places like Sheboygan and Milwaukee often tracks a higher cost of living.

Wisconsin's neighbors show a mixed picture. Illinois pays Physical Therapists about 3% more, at $105,250 a year, while Iowa pays about 4% less, at $97,560 a year. Minnesota sits almost even with Wisconsin at $102,010 a year, and Michigan trails slightly at $100,900 a year. Physical therapy licensure can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which can simplify a move across state lines.

Wisconsin Physical Therapists typically earn $101,840 a year, a figure that has climbed 27% over the past decade. Pay compares closely with the national rate and varies modestly by city across the state. Anyone weighing a move or a new license should check Wisconsin's physical therapy licensing board for requirements, and review city-level pages for local figures before deciding where to practice.