Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Mankato, MN: $66,529 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Mankato, MN earns a median $66,529/year (≈ $31.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Mankato's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $67,542 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mankato, Minnesota, the projected physical therapist assistant salary in 2026 is $66,529, which falls slightly below the national median of $70,247. With salaries ranging from $49,927 at the 10th percentile to $87,422 at the 90th percentile, this creates a diverse earning potential for those in the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the local cost of living, reflect the expectations for productivity in terms of patient visits per day, a critical driver for compensation in this market. The job outlook is positive, suggesting consistent demand for skilled physical therapist assistants, which may allow for gradual salary growth at an annual rate of 2.73%.
About the Mankato Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,927 | $24.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,089 | $28.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,529 | $31.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,546 | $35.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,422 | $42.03 |
Median Salary Position
5.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mankato
In Mankato, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,495 (2026 est.). At $66,529, the local median is 5.29% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mankato: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mankato Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Mankato median: $66,529/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mankato Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,157 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -5.29% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Mankato, MN earn a median of $66,529 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.29% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $69,157.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mankato 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.
Mankato, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $66,529 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,542 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,450
2025 BLS Actual
$64,761
2026 Current Est.
$66,529
2019–2027 Growth
+41.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Mankato (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,448 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,689 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,761 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,529 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,345 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mankato metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 33.7% from $48,450 (2019) to $64,761 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,345 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,895 (41.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mankato 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) | $49,927 – $60,089 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,089 – $66,529 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,529 – $73,546 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,546 – $87,422 |
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 Mankato
The local job market currently employs eight physical therapist assistants in Mankato, MN, indicating a niche but stable professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, slightly below the national average, PTAs must navigate the economic landscape to maximize their take-home pay. The highest-paying positions are typically found in outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospital settings, reflecting the varying pay structures influenced by productivity expectations and the supervisory relationships governed by state regulations. Given the 15% cut in Medicare Part B reimbursement for PTA services, which has impacted salaries in Medicare-reliant settings, focusing on roles within diverse therapy environments or pursuing continuing education, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, can help increase earnings.
More salary data for Mankato, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Mankato, MN in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Mankato?
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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 $64,761 for physical therapist assistantsin the Mankato 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 Mankato 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