Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Racine, WI: $60,559 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Racine, WI earns a median $60,559/year (≈ $29.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Racine's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $63,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual compensation for a physical therapist assistant in Racine is estimated to be $60,559, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $70,247. The local salary range spans from $48,766 at the 10th percentile to $75,753 at the 90th percentile, showcasing various earning potentials based on experience and specific employment settings. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys indicates that physical therapist assistants in Racine have primarily witnessed stability in their pay structure, particularly in the wake of business shifts in outpatient and skilled nursing facility (SNF) care as a result of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. This changing dynamic affects how much do physical therapist assistants make in Racine, with many seeking employment avenues that mitigate the impacts of Medicare cuts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,766 | $23.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,108 | $24.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,559 | $29.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,846 | $32.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,753 | $36.42 |
Median Salary Position
13.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Racine
In Racine, WI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,987 (2026 est.). At $60,559, the local median is 13.79% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Racine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Racine Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Racine median: $60,559/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Racine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $65,118 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -13.79% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Racine, WI earn a median of $60,559 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.79% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 7.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,118.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Racine has a cost of living 4.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Racine, WI has a cost-of-living index of 95.961 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $60,559 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,108 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.21% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,750
2025 BLS Actual
$58,950
2026 Current Est.
$60,559
2019–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Racine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,559 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Racine metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 28.9% from $45,750 (2019) to $58,950 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,463 (35.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Racine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,766 – $51,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,108 – $60,559 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,559 – $66,846 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,846 – $75,753 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Racine
The job market for physical therapist assistants in Racine comprises 80 professionals currently, indicating a relatively stable demand within the area. The local cost-of-living index, recorded at 95.961, suggests that take-home purchasing power is somewhat favorable compared to the national average. Various employers in Racine present differing pay scales; hospital inpatient rehab settings typically offer the highest pay, followed by outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities where pay scales have been constrained by recent policy changes. The disparity in wages can be attributed to setting dynamics—hospital roles generally demand a higher volume of supervisory responsibilities and higher productivity quotas. To enhance income potential, aspiring physical therapist assistants should consider pursuing positions in hospitals or facilities with a strong reputation for service and higher reimbursement rates, while also exploring opportunities for professional development through PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways.
More salary data for Racine, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Racine, WI in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Racine?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,950 for physical therapist assistantsin the Racine metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov