Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Owatonna, MN: $33.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Owatonna, MN runs $33.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Owatonna's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,219 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Owatonna, Minnesota, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $33.03, which is slightly lower than the national median of $33.77. This rate provides a solid expectation for part-time or per-diem workers in various settings, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and pediatric therapy practices. The hourly pay for entry-level physical therapist assistants starts around $22.82, while top earners can make as much as $41.00 per hour. These figures are estimated based on annual salary data, reflecting the local market for PTAs. For those in Owatonna considering a part-time schedule, working three days a week allows for flexibility, while hourly pay remains competitive despite the fluctuation in economic demands.
About the Owatonna 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) | $22.82 | $182.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.37 | $226.99 |
| Median (P50) | $33.03 | $264.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.10 | $296.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.00 | $328.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Owatonna
Based on $33.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.03/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Owatonna, MN can expect to earn approximately $68,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,633. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Owatonna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Owatonna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,321.11 | $5,725 | $68,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $792.66 | $3,435 | $41,219 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $528.44 | $2,290 | $27,479 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Owatonna) | $33.03 |
| 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 Owatonna, MN earn a median of $68,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $69,172.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.03/hr = $41,219/year (purchasing power: $41,846).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,698/year (purchasing power: $69,744).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Owatonna grew 16.3% from $27.64/hr (2019) to $32.15/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.93/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 Owatonna 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 Owatonna
The earning potential for physical therapist assistants in Owatonna greatly varies depending on the employment setting. For instance, part-time workers typically take home less annually than their full-time counterparts, affecting financial stability. Per diem physical therapist assistant pay in Owatonna ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, while travel PTA contracts can offer between $1,200 and $1,800 weekly, though the recent 15% Medicare cut has reduced incomes in heavily Medicare-reliant settings, such as skilled nursing facilities. Hourly rates are generally higher in outpatient orthopedic clinics compared to hospital inpatient rehab or school therapy programs, where lower compensation may include benefits like health insurance. Negotiating for a better hourly pay rate becomes especially crucial in a market like this, as physical therapist assistants must weigh the benefits of stable employment against higher hourly wages without benefits.
More salary data for Owatonna, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Owatonna in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Owatonna?
Are physical therapist assistants in Owatonna paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Owatonna?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Owatonna?
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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 Owatonna. 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 Owatonna 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