Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $68,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $68,290/year (≈ $32.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $69,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average annual earnings for a physical therapist assistant in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, are projected at $68,290, which reflects a slight reduction compared to the national median of $70,247. This salary offers a range from $48,572 at the 10th percentile to $84,172 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on factors such as work setting and experience level. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the region's cost of living. With local outpatient settings facing challenges post-Medicare cuts, the job market has evolved. As a result, competition has intensified among therapy providers, affecting salary structures and career prospects in Cottage Grove.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,572 | $23.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,703 | $28.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,290 | $32.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,139 | $36.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,172 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
2.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,600 (2026 est.). At $68,290, the local median is 2.79% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be above the median
How Cottage Grove Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $68,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,189 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -2.79% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $68,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.79% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $69,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove 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.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $68,290 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,330 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,152
2025 BLS Actual
$66,475
2026 Current Est.
$68,290
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,152 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,105 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,021 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,295 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,162 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,154 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $57,152 (2019) to $66,475 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,154 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,002 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $48,572 – $59,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,703 – $68,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,290 – $76,139 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,139 – $84,172 |
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 Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove currently employs eight physical therapist assistants, reflecting a relatively focused job market in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, compensation is slightly below the national average, but the adjusted earnings can still provide a decent quality of life. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities are among the higher-paying employers in the area, influenced by the demand for specialized therapy services. Factors influencing the pay spread include the post-2022 Medicare reimbursement cuts, setting types, productivity expectations, and the intensity of care provided. To enhance earnings potential in Cottage Grove, physical therapist assistants might consider seeking positions in high-demand outpatient settings, pursuing specialized training, or gaining experience in areas with premium pay scales, all essential for navigating the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, 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
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 $66,475 for physical therapist assistantsin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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