Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Minnesota: $70,170 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $70,170/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,239 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rochester ($73,580), Minneapolis ($69,790), St. Paul ($69,089).
In Minnesota, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants in 2026 is projected to be $70,170, which is slightly below the national median of $70,247, reflecting a difference of -0.1%. Salary varies significantly across the state; Rochester offers the highest average salary at $75,589, while Faribault has the lowest at $65,361. This disparity is driven by factors such as local demand for physical therapy services, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. The state has specific licensing requirements for physical therapist assistants, which include completing an accredited program and passing a national exam. Minnesota also allows physical therapist assistants to perform certain tasks under the supervision of licensed physical therapists, impacting the scope of practice and overall job demand. With a projected growth rate of 2.73%, the job market for physical therapist assistants in Minnesota indicates a steady increase in employment opportunities, driven by an aging population and a rising focus on rehabilitation services. Key cities for employment include Minneapolis at $71,695, St. Paul at $70,975, Bloomington at $70,424, and Maple Grove at $70,131, all contributing to a favorable outlook for those entering this profession in Minnesota.
Minnesota Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $45,041 (lowest entry-level) to $100,766 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota physical therapist assistants earn 0.11% less than the national median ($-77/year difference).
Minnesota Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in Minnesota range from $57,399 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,476 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $70,170. The Minnesota median is $77 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $33.73/hr. Approximately 1,380 physical therapist assistants are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,713
2025 BLS Actual
$68,305
2026 Current Est.
$70,170
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,713 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,686 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,916 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,847 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,614 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,305 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,170 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,086 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 20.4% from $56,713 (2019) to $68,305 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,086 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,373 (27.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $75,589 | 90.821 | $83,229 |
| St. Cloud | $65,870 | 87.632 | $75,167 |
| Duluth | $66,672 | 88.768 | $75,108 |
| St. Paul | $70,975 | 98.5 | $72,056 |
| Bloomington | $70,424 | 98.5 | $71,496 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,399 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $70,170 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,476 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rochester | $75,589 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | $71,695 |
| 3 | St. Paul | $70,975 |
| 4 | Bloomington | $70,424 |
| 5 | Maple Grove | $70,131 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $70,104 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $70,038 |
| 8 | Owatonna | $68,687 |
| 9 | Brooklyn Park | $68,597 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $68,476 |
| 11 | Roseville | $68,436 |
| 12 | Chaska | $68,381 |
| 13 | Minnetonka | $68,367 |
| 14 | Cottage Grove | $68,290 |
| 15 | Burnsville | $68,235 |
| 16 | Lakeville | $67,983 |
| 17 | Chanhassen | $67,935 |
| 18 | Inver Grove Heights | $67,829 |
| 19 | Eagan | $67,818 |
| 20 | Brooklyn Center | $67,802 |
| 21 | Elk River | $67,790 |
| 22 | Prior Lake | $67,721 |
| 23 | Ramsey | $67,474 |
| 24 | Blaine | $67,189 |
| 25 | Apple Valley | $67,085 |
| 26 | Shakopee | $67,018 |
| 27 | Coon Rapids | $67,008 |
| 28 | Savage | $66,900 |
| 29 | Edina | $66,893 |
| 30 | Maplewood | $66,695 |
| 31 | Andover | $66,679 |
| 32 | Duluth | $66,672 |
| 33 | Richfield | $66,647 |
| 34 | St. Louis Park | $66,642 |
| 35 | Moorhead | $66,545 |
| 36 | Mankato | $66,529 |
| 37 | Northfield | $66,064 |
| 38 | Hastings | $65,923 |
| 39 | St. Cloud | $65,870 |
| 40 | Fridley | $65,627 |
| 41 | Winona | $65,574 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $65,547 |
| 43 | Austin | $65,444 |
| 44 | Faribault | $65,361 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physical therapist assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in Minnesota?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist assistant compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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