Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Cottage Grove, MN: $32.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Cottage Grove, MN runs $32.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,290 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Cottage Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,975 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, MN, physical therapist assistants (PTAs) earn a median hourly pay of $32.83, which falls slightly below the national median of $33.77. This wage is particularly relevant for part-time workers—such as those employed three days a week—who can expect to make around $2,621 monthly or $31,455 annually if working 24 hours weekly. Per-diem physical therapist assistants, who may work on an as-needed basis, typically earn between $23.35 and $40.47 an hour, depending on their experience and the demands of their workplace. This range provides insight into the earning potential for entry-level to experienced PTAs in various environments, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health positions. Hourly earnings are extrapolated from annual salary data, reflecting the broader trends in compensation and cost of living in the region.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.35 | $186.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.70 | $229.62 |
| Median (P50) | $32.83 | $262.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.60 | $292.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.47 | $323.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cottage Grove
Based on $32.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.83/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cottage Grove, MN can expect to earn approximately $68,292 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,399. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cottage Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cottage Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,313.30 | $5,691 | $68,292 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $787.98 | $3,415 | $40,975 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $525.32 | $2,276 | $27,317 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Cottage Grove) | $32.83 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $68,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.79% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $69,189.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.83/hr = $40,975/year (purchasing power: $41,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,292/year (purchasing power: $69,332).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Cottage Grove grew 16.3% from $27.48/hr (2019) to $31.96/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.73/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Cottage Grove
Exploring the potential income for part-time physical therapist assistants reveals that those working two or three shifts a week can still achieve a sustainable income, albeit less than full-timers. For instance, a 24-hour work schedule would yield just over $31,000 annually, aligning with the financial realities faced by many in health care. Per-diem PTAs often find themselves billed at rates ranging from $32 to $48 per hour, though travel contracts can offer higher compensation—between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly for itinerant work. It's notable that skilled nursing facilities have seen a decrease in PTA pay, largely due to the impact of the 15% Medicare cut implemented in 2022, affecting all Medicare-reliant environments. Hourly rates can vary across employer types in Cottage Grove; outpatient orthopedic clinics might pay slightly higher than community health agencies, while some PTAs choose lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. To negotiate effectively, PTAs should highlight their specific skills and consider the value of benefits versus hourly pay, ensuring they find the best balance in their professional compensation.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Cottage Grove in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Cottage Grove?
Are physical therapist assistants in Cottage Grove paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Cottage Grove?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Cottage Grove?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Cottage Grove. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cottage Grove 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