Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Wausau, WI: $61,895 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Wausau, WI earns a median $61,895/year (≈ $29.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $66,804 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is $61,895, reflecting a competitive position in the local job market despite being approximately 11.89% lower than the national median of $70,247. Salaries range from $54,231 at the 10th percentile to as high as $79,770 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on experience, setting, and demand for services. These figures stem from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlight the opportunity for growth within the profession. For PTAs considering the transition to a Doctor of Physical Therapy, this bridging not only enhances clinical capability but can also lead to significantly higher lifetime earnings, benefiting from advanced roles within both outpatient and inpatient settings in Wausau.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,231 | $26.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,762 | $28.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,895 | $29.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,294 | $35.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,770 | $38.35 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,539 (2026 est.). At $61,895, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Wausau median: $61,895/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $65,084 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -11.89% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Wausau, WI earn a median of $61,895 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.90% below the Wisconsin state average of $65,084.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $61,895 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,804 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,950
2025 BLS Actual
$60,250
2026 Current Est.
$61,895
2019–2027 Growth
+11.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,906 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,307 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,895 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,585 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 5.8% from $56,950 (2019) to $60,250 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,635 (11.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $54,231 – $58,762 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,762 – $61,895 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,895 – $74,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,294 – $79,770 |
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 Wausau
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently about 40 physical therapist assistants employed in Wausau, with a cost-of-living index of 92.651 making it crucial for residents to maximize their income for optimum purchasing power. Those seeking the highest pay typically find opportunities in outpatient orthopedic clinics, where volume and patient turnover can lead to better compensation. However, differential factors like productivity expectations and weekend shifts can significantly influence earnings across various care settings. Additionally, the impact of Medicare's 15% cut affects pay scales in heavily reliant environments like skilled nursing facilities, making it imperative for PTAs to seek employment in sectors less affected by these cuts. For best outcomes in this market, fostering relationships within local rehabilitation facilities and continuously enhancing skill sets through continuing education and certifications will be essential strategies for PTAs aiming to elevate their pay in Wausau, WI.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $60,250 for physical therapist assistantsin the Wausau 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, 5-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