PT Assistant Salary

Green Bay vs La Crosse: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Green Bay, WI and La Crosse, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Green Bay, WI
$65,326
$31.40/hr
La Crosse, WI
$64,905
$31.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WILa Crosse, WI
Median Salary$65,326$64,905
Hourly Rate$31.40$31.20
Entry Level (P10)$52,659$46,742
25th Percentile$61,936$61,802
75th Percentile$75,507$75,846
Top Earner (P90)$76,647$78,054
Total Employed10080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($65,326) and La Crosse ($64,905) physical therapist assistant salaries.Green BayLa CrosseMedian Salary$65,326$64,905Entry Level (P10)$52,659$46,742Top Earner (P90)$76,647$78,054US Median $70,247

Verdict

Green Bay, WI offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to La Crosse.

The salary gap between Green Bay and La Crosse is $421 (0.65%). Green Bay's median is -7.01% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Green Bay spans $23,988,La Crosse spans $31,312. La Crosse has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$52,659
P25$61,936
Median$65,326
P75$75,507
P90 (Top)$76,647
La Crosse
P10 (Entry)$46,742
P25$61,802
Median$64,905
P75$75,846
P90 (Top)$78,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, La Crosse ($70,726 effective) pays 0.78% more than Green Bay ($70,178 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $65,326
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $70,178
La Crosse
Nominal: $64,905
CoL Index: 91.769
Adjusted: $70,726

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,326/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose La Crosse if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($78,054)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,726)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Green Bay grew 17.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.9% growth in La Crosse over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+17.0%

$54,360 (2019) → $63,590 (2025)

La Crosse, WI

+26.9%

$49,780 (2019) → $63,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Green Bay or La Crosse?

Green Bay has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $65,326/year, compared to La Crosse at $64,905/year — a difference of $421 (0.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Green Bay and La Crosse?

Green Bay physical therapist assistants earn $31.40/hr while La Crosse hygienists earn $31.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Green Bay to La Crosse as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and La Crosse. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $70,178, La Crosse = $70,726), job availability (100 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Green Bay vs La Crosse?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $52,659 in Green Bay and $46,742 in La Crosse. The Green Bay area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, DPT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov