PT Assistant Salary

Burnsville vs St. Paul: Physical Therapist Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist assistant salaries between Burnsville, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burnsville, MN
$68,235
$32.80/hr
St. Paul, MN
$70,975
$34.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurnsville, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$68,235$70,975
Hourly Rate$32.80$34.13
Entry Level (P10)$50,204$48,790
25th Percentile$61,099$61,509
75th Percentile$79,696$81,521
Top Earner (P90)$90,439$100,766
Total Employed980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burnsville ($68,235) and St. Paul ($70,975) physical therapist assistant salaries.BurnsvilleSt. PaulMedian Salary$68,235$70,975Entry Level (P10)$50,204$48,790Top Earner (P90)$90,439$100,766US Median $70,247

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for physical therapist assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burnsville.

The salary gap between Burnsville and St. Paul is $2,740 (4.02%). St. Paul's median is +1.04% compared to the US national median of $70,247.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burnsville spans $40,235,St. Paul spans $51,976. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapist assistants.

Burnsville
P10 (Entry)$50,204
P25$61,099
Median$68,235
P75$79,696
P90 (Top)$90,439
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$48,790
P25$61,509
Median$70,975
P75$81,521
P90 (Top)$100,766

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($72,056 effective) pays 4.02% more than Burnsville ($69,274 effective).

Burnsville
Nominal: $68,235
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $69,274
St. Paul
Nominal: $70,975
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $72,056

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burnsville if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,975/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,766)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,056)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist assistant salaries in Burnsville grew 3.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.2% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Burnsville, MN

+3.6%

$64,110 (2024) → $66,422 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+2.2%

$67,575 (2024) → $69,089 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapist assistants more: Burnsville or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median physical therapist assistant salary at $70,975/year, compared to Burnsville at $68,235/year — a difference of $2,740 (4.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burnsville and St. Paul?

Burnsville physical therapist assistants earn $32.80/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $34.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burnsville to St. Paul as a physical therapist assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burnsville and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burnsville = $69,274, St. Paul = $72,056), job availability (9 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapist assistants earn in Burnsville vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapist assistants earn $50,204 in Burnsville and $48,790 in St. Paul. The Burnsville area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, PTAData verified by Ahmed Khan, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.73% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov