Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Bloomington, MN: $50,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Bloomington, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $50,183 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bloomington's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,947 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($70,424) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Entering the field as a physical therapist assistant in Bloomington, Minnesota, can result in a starting salary of approximately $50,183 in 2026. While this amount may initially seem modest in comparison to the city’s median annual salary of $70,424, it creates a pathway for growth. New graduates can typically progress from this entry-level position to the 25th percentile salary of about $60,348 within the first three to five years. With an annual growth rate of 2.73%, Bloomington appears to be a promising market for recent PTA graduates. Encouragingly, the job outlook indicates that entry-level salaries are on an upward trend, making this an opportune time to begin a career in physical therapy.
About the Bloomington Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bloomington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Bloomington, MN typically start between $50,183 and $60,348 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $41,163 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $70,424 — 0.25% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Minnesota of $22,000 represents just 43.84% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($50,183/year) in Bloomington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Bloomington
- 1Research the Bloomington market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $50,183 to $60,348, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bloomington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Bloomington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bloomington's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Bloomington is $41,163 ( 82.03%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $50,183, experienced hygienists can earn up to $91,346.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,220
2025 BLS Actual
$48,849
2026 Current Est.
$50,183
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,079 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,313 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,849 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,553 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Bloomington, MN grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $34,220 in 2019 to $48,849 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $51,553. New graduates entering the Bloomington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Bloomington
In Bloomington, the primary employers seeking to hire new graduates include outpatient chains, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and some home health agencies. Outpatient centers often prefer fresh graduates, as they offer structured mentorship that aligns well with the training from CAPTE-accredited programs. Although SNFs are navigating recent reimbursement challenges due to the 15% cut in Medicare Part B for PTA services, they still recruit new talent. Obtaining the necessary credentials, including a state PTA license and passing the NPTAE exam, is crucial for enhancing initial pay. Continuing education and earning advanced proficiency certifications through APTA can further elevate starting physical therapist assistant pay in Minnesota. For those entering the workforce, realistic salary growth expectations over the first three years typically fall short of significant hikes, especially in settings heavily reliant on Medicare, but the potential for professional development and specialization remains strong.
More salary data for Bloomington, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Bloomington in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Bloomington?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Bloomington?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Bloomington?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in Minnesota?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Bloomington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bloomington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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