Physical Therapist Salary in Appleton, WI: $104,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Appleton, WI earns a median $104,427/year (≈ $50.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $112,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for physical therapists in 2026 is $104,427, slightly below the national median of $105,288. This figure comes from detailed analysis based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and reflects the current market dynamics within the area. Salary ranges are broad, stretching from $80,462 at the 10th percentile to $124,407 at the 90th percentile, illuminating the varied opportunities available within different employment settings. Typically, outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer lower base salaries than hospital positions, yet they often provide performance-based incentives tied to productivity metrics. As such, the pathway a physical therapist chooses concerning their practice environment significantly influences potential earnings in Appleton's healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,462 | $38.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,357 | $42.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,427 | $50.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,661 | $53.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,407 | $59.82 |
Median Salary Position
0.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,945 (2026 est.). At $104,427, the local median is 0.82% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be above the median
How Appleton Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Appleton median: $104,427/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $102,480 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.82% less |
Physical Therapists in Appleton, WI earn a median of $104,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $102,480.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $104,427 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $112,993 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,590
2025 BLS Actual
$101,920
2026 Current Est.
$104,427
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 10.1% from $92,590 (2019) to $101,920 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,406 (15.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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 2.46% 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) | $80,462 – $87,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,357 – $104,427 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,427 – $111,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,661 – $124,407 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Appleton
The local job market for physical therapists in Appleton is relatively robust, with approximately 180 professionals employed in the field. Notably, the cost of living index sits at 92.419, indicating that expenses are lower than the national average, which may enhance the overall purchasing power of salaries in this region. While productivity expectations and payment models dictate pay scales, outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico and ATI may offer competitive packages, although hospital systems generally provide slightly higher salaries, particularly for specialized roles. Additionally, physical therapists who hold board certifications like OCS or SCS can often negotiate higher wages, benefitting from additional stipends. Exploring cash-pay models or pursuing positions that involve travel can also lead to increased physical therapist pay in Appleton, WI. Those entering the field should consider these factors when strategizing for long-term financial growth in their careers.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex 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 $101,920 for physical therapistsin the Appleton metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov