Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Elk River, MN: $32.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Elk River, MN runs $32.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,790 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Elk River's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,680 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elk River, Minnesota, physical therapist assistant hourly pay is projected to reach $32.60 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $33.77. This offers a competitive rate for those looking to work part-time, as a typical schedule of three days a week could yield significant income even without full-time hours. Settings for physical therapist assistants often include outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric therapy spaces, providing diverse opportunities. Within Elk River, hourly pay ranges from $24.49 at the entry-level to as much as $42.86 for top earners, reflecting the varied skill levels and specialization associated with different healthcare environments. These figures derive from annual salary estimates but are essential for understanding the immediate employment landscape in terms of hourly compensation.
About the Elk River 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) | $24.49 | $195.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.46 | $235.70 |
| Median (P50) | $32.60 | $260.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.05 | $288.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.86 | $342.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elk River
Based on $32.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.60/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elk River, MN can expect to earn approximately $67,800 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,115. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elk River.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elk River
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,303.85 | $5,650 | $67,800 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $782.31 | $3,390 | $40,680 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $521.54 | $2,260 | $27,120 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Elk River) | $32.60 |
| 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 Elk River, MN earn a median of $67,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $69,174.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.60/hr = $40,680/year (purchasing power: $41,300).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,800/year (purchasing power: $68,833).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Elk River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Elk River grew 16.3% from $27.28/hr (2019) to $31.73/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.49/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 Elk River 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 Elk River
Focusing further on the earning potential of part-time physical therapist assistants in Elk River reveals some interesting dynamics. If a 3-day-a-week schedule results in about 24 hours of work weekly, it translates to an annual income of roughly $40,608, compared to the higher earnings of full-time colleagues. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Elk River typically ranges from $32 to $48, with travel contracts offering weekly compensation between $1,200 and $1,800, but opportunities can be limited by the ongoing impact of the 2022 Medicare reimbursement cuts. Variability in hourly rates also exists among different employer types; outpatient clinics may offer competitive pay, while skilled nursing facilities may lag due to funding changes. This situation leads some professionals to negotiate for higher hourly rates in exchange for fewer or no benefits. For those entering negotiations, emphasizing specialized skills or previous experiences can strengthen their position, especially in a region like Elk River where the demand is evolving.
More salary data for Elk River, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Elk River in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Elk River?
Are physical therapist assistants in Elk River paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Elk River?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Elk River?
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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 Elk River. 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 Elk River 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