How to Become A Physical Therapy Aide in Wisconsin
Wisconsin employs approximately 840 physical therapy aides according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $36,820 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 6,600 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a physical therapy aide in Wisconsin, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Physical Therapy Aide in Wisconsin
How do I become a physical therapy aide in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as PHYSICAL THERAPIST, PHYSICAL THERAPIST (School), PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for physical therapy aides. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do physical therapy aides earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Wisconsin is $36,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,080 and experienced professionals can earn $46,520 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $36,820 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Physical Therapy Aide License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees physical therapy aide licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST | A physical therapist is an individual who has been graduated from a school of physical therapy and holds a license to practice physical therapy granted by the affiliated credentialing board. |
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST (School) | Any person seeking to teach in a public school, including a charter school, or in a school or institution operated by a county or the state shall first procure a license or permit from the department. |
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT | A Physical Therapist Assistant is an individual who assists physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. |
| PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT (School) | Any person seeking to teach in a public school, including a charter school, or in a school or institution operated by a county or the state shall first procure a license or permit from the department. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Physical Therapy Aide Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Physical Therapist Aides Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), physical therapist aides wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 340 | $38,810 | $38,540 | $28,080 | $47,400 |
| Madison | 90 | $39,420 | $38,390 | $28,500 | $45,450 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 80 | $42,230 | $43,720 | $37,560 | $48,190 |
| Kenosha | 40 | $34,650 | $34,500 | $27,640 | $43,830 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Physical therapy aides in Wisconsin
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest physical therapy aide employment within Wisconsin according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 340 | $38,810 |
| Madison | 90 | $39,420 |
| Kenosha | 40 | $34,650 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for physical therapy aides in Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 840 physical therapy aides 1. Nationally, physical therapy aide employment is projected to grow 2.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a physical therapy aide in Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Wisconsin.
How much do physical therapy aides earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for physical therapy aides in Wisconsin is $36,820, which is $2,300 above the national median of $34,520 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |