Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Austin, MN: $65,444 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Austin, MN earns a median $65,444/year (≈ $31.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $66,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Austin, Minnesota can expect a median annual salary of $65,444, which is approximately 6.84% lower than the national median of $70,247. The local salary range reflects this variance, with entry-level positions starting around $45,123 and top earners reaching up to $81,629. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional prices, reveal how economic factors have shaped the local job landscape. Notably, the job market in Austin has seen significant structural shifts post-Medicare cuts, particularly as outpatient practices have adapted while skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) face tighter margins. As healthcare settings continue to adjust to these changes, demand for physical therapist assistants remains strong.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,123 | $21.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,367 | $27.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,444 | $31.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,555 | $35.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,629 | $39.24 |
Median Salary Position
6.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,506 (2026 est.). At $65,444, the local median is 6.84% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Austin median: $65,444/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,180 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -6.84% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Austin, MN earn a median of $65,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.84% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $69,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $65,444 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,441 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,771
2025 BLS Actual
$63,705
2026 Current Est.
$65,444
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,771 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,684 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,997 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,479 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,699 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,488 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,705 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,444 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,231 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $54,771 (2019) to $63,705 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,231 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,460 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,123 – $56,367 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,367 – $65,444 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,444 – $73,555 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,555 – $81,629 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Austin
Despite the relatively low number of physical therapist assistants working in Austin—currently four—there are factors that significantly impact compensation. With a cost of living index of 98.5, the purchasing power of salaries here is somewhat restricted compared to national averages. Employers in outpatient orthopedic clinics typically offer higher compensation than those in skilled nursing facilities, driven in part by the productivity expectations and reimbursement models affected by the recent Medicare cuts. The pay disparity reflects basic economic principles, where working in more demanding settings, such as hospitals, may yield better salaries, opposed to outpatient roles that have been harder hit by financial constraints. To maximize earnings in the Austin market, physical therapist assistants should focus on building specialized skills and consider diversifying their experiences within various healthcare settings, such as home health agencies or pediatric clinics, which may offer opportunities for premium pay on weekends or in PRN roles.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Austin?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,705 for physical therapist assistantsin the Austin metropolitan area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Austin 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