Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $31.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in St. Cloud, MN runs $31.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,870 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,526 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at $31.67, reflecting a competitive rate compared to the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for part-time workers, particularly those seeking 24 hours a week in various settings such as outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services. Entry-level physical therapist assistants can expect to earn around $27.78, while those at the top of the pay scale can reach up to $35.70 per hour. These figures are based on official BLS hourly estimates projected from 2025 data, showcasing the financial landscape for those pursuing careers in physical therapy assistance.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.78 | $222.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.87 | $238.99 |
| Median (P50) | $31.67 | $253.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.03 | $264.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.70 | $285.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $31.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.67/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $65,877 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,006. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,266.87 | $5,490 | $65,877 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $760.12 | $3,294 | $39,526 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.75 | $2,196 | $26,351 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (St. Cloud) | $31.67 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $65,870 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.80% below the Minnesota state average of $69,192.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.67/hr = $39,526/year (purchasing power: $45,105).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,877/year (purchasing power: $75,175).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in St. Cloud grew 26.8% from $24.32/hr (2019) to $30.83/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.54/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
The earning potential for part-time physical therapist assistants in St. Cloud can result in substantial differences in annual income when contrasted with full-time positions. Working three days a week, a PTA might take home roughly $49,825 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time salaries. For those exploring per diem gigs, payment typically ranges from $32 to $48 per hour, with travel contracts for PTAs offering weekly compensation between $1,200 and $1,800. However, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts have influenced pay structures, primarily impacting positions within skilled nursing facilities where agency rates may have dropped. Different types of employers present varying rates; for instance, outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab units may offer differing compensation levels. Potential employees in St. Cloud should weigh the trade-offs of hourly rates against benefits like health insurance when negotiating pay. Understanding the nuances of the local job market and aligning them with one's own financial needs is vital in making informed career decisions.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 St. Cloud. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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