Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Woodbury, MN: $49,030 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Woodbury, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,030 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Woodbury's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $49,777 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($70,104) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, aspiring physical therapist assistants in Woodbury, MN, can expect a starting salary of around $49,030, a figure that represents entry-level opportunities in the local market. This initial pay is noticeably below the city's median annual salary of $70,104, indicating that new graduates may have a gap to bridge as they embark on their careers. However, early-career professionals can anticipate a steady growth trajectory, progressing from the initial entry-level salary through the 25th percentile at $60,860 within a few years. Woodbury's healthcare sector is currently fostering favorable conditions for new graduates, making it a viable market for those entering the field.
About the Woodbury Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Woodbury
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 Woodbury
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Woodbury, MN typically start between $49,030 and $60,860 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $40,701 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $70,104 — 0.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in Minnesota of $22,000 represents just 44.87% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($49,030/year) in Woodbury. 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 Woodbury
- 1Research the Woodbury market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $49,030 to $60,860, 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 Woodbury, 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 Woodbury for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Woodbury'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 Woodbury is $40,701 ( 83.01%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,030, experienced hygienists can earn up to $89,731.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,434
2025 BLS Actual
$47,727
2026 Current Est.
$49,030
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Woodbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,434 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,824 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,262 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,319 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,342 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,727 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,030 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,368 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Woodbury, MN grew 42.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,434 in 2019 to $47,727 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,368. New graduates entering the Woodbury job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodbury 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 Woodbury
Employers in Woodbury predominantly offering positions to new graduate physical therapist assistants include outpatient facilities, which tend to hire extensively due to the ongoing demand for rehabilitation services. While skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are hiring as well, they are facing challenges due to recent Medicare reimbursement cuts that have impacted pay rates. In order to enhance starting physical therapist assistant pay in MN, recent graduates should focus on obtaining required credentials, including an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited PTA program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and obtaining a state PTA license. For newer PTAs, career strategies should involve gaining a variety of clinical experiences under physical therapist supervision, bearing in mind that working in settings heavily reliant on Medicare reimbursement may affect salary growth due to ongoing funding cuts. Realistically, professionals can expect gradual salary increases over their first few years as they acquire both skills and experience in this evolving market.
More salary data for Woodbury, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Woodbury in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Woodbury?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Woodbury?
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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 Woodbury. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Woodbury 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