Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Owatonna, MN: $68,687 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Owatonna, MN earns a median $68,687/year (≈ $33.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $69,733 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for physical therapist assistants in Owatonna, MN, is projected to be $68,687, positioning it slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary spectrum ranges from $47,458 at the 10th percentile to $85,280 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities in various healthcare settings. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that, while local compensation is somewhat competitive, factors such as the recent cuts to Medicare reimbursement for PTA services have particularly affected earnings in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings. These changes signal the ongoing challenges in the job market for physical therapist assistants, who often rely on patient volumes and productivity to enhance their pay in this evolving landscape.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,458 | $22.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,019 | $28.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,687 | $33.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,167 | $37.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,280 | $41.00 |
Median Salary Position
2.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,822 (2026 est.). At $68,687, the local median is 2.22% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be above the median
How Owatonna Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $68,687/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,172 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -2.22% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $68,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $69,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna 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.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $68,687 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,733 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,485
2025 BLS Actual
$66,862
2026 Current Est.
$68,687
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,485 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,443 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,377 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,657 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,535 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,862 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,687 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,562 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $57,485 (2019) to $66,862 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,562 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,077 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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) | $47,458 – $59,019 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,019 – $68,687 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,687 – $77,167 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,167 – $85,280 |
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 Owatonna
Currently, Owatonna employs six physical therapist assistants, highlighting a concentrated job market within the community. The cost of living index in Owatonna sits at 98.5, marginally below the national average, suggesting that while salaries are relatively stable, actual take-home pay may be stretched by local economic factors. In terms of employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics often provide the highest compensation, while skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation may struggle with the financial impact of the Medicare cuts. Compensation discrepancies can arise from productivity expectations, shift premiums, and the varying demands of supervision per state law. For those considering careers in Owatonna, focusing on outpatient opportunities or pursuing advanced education pathways, such as PTA-to-DPT bridge programs, can position them for higher pay and increased job security in the future.
More salary data for Owatonna, 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 $66,862 for physical therapist assistantsin the Owatonna 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 Owatonna 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