Physical Therapist Salary in Madison, WI
Physical Therapists in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $102,810 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $77,088 take-home, or $6,424 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median physical therapist salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$13,788
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,374
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,491
- Wisconsin income tax$4,068
- Take-home pay$77,088
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.30% state
Physical Therapist pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,340 | $38.63 | $62,472 | $5,206 |
| 25th percentile | $88,780 | $42.68 | $67,962 | $5,663 |
| Median (50th) | $102,810 | $49.43 | $77,088 | $6,424 |
| 75th percentile | $118,060 | $56.76 | $87,009 | $7,251 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,220 | $59.24 | $90,337 | $7,528 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $102,810 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median physical therapist's $77,088 take-home pay has the buying power of $79,238 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Madison, WI has 1.3× the national concentration of physical therapist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for physical therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #52 of 104 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McAllen, TX | $103,980 | $81,980 | $95,442 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $116,480 | $90,774 | $90,579 |
| 3 | El Paso, TX | $102,190 | $80,721 | $89,777 |
| 4 | San Antonio, TX | $106,010 | $83,408 | $88,061 |
| 5 | Toledo, OH | $104,750 | $80,423 | $87,938 |
| 6 | Jackson, MS | $103,000 | $77,903 | $87,484 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $139,000 | $95,768 | $86,728 |
| 8 | Memphis, TN | $100,000 | $79,180 | $85,898 |
| 52 | Madison, WI | $102,810 | $77,088 | $79,238 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 104 metros →
Physical Therapist salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $103,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a physical therapist make in Madison, WI?
The median physical therapist salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $102,810 a year, or about $49.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $88,780 and $118,060.
What is a physical therapist’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $102,810 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $77,088 a year ($6,424 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,068 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $102,760. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $79,238 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #52 of 104 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a physical therapist afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 21% of a median physical therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $158,120
- Physician Assistant — $133,950
- Nurse Practitioner — $133,080
- Registered Nurse — $101,190
- Dental Hygienist — $100,340
- Occupational Therapist — $95,670
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $80,920
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $64,550
- Psychiatric Technician — $64,380
- Medical Records Specialist — $61,860
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $59,090