Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Prior Lake, MN: $67,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Prior Lake, MN earns a median $67,721/year (≈ $32.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Prior Lake's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $68,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median salary of $67,721 for physical therapist assistants in Prior Lake, Minnesota, the earning potential is competitive, the figures aligning closely with local economic conditions and expectations. Those in the field can anticipate salaries ranging from $47,148 at the lower end to $88,757 at the upper echelon, reflecting variations in experience, setting, and specific job roles. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicating a positive forecast for PTAs entering the workforce. As the job market continues to develop, many look toward the PTA-to-DPT bridge as a strategic pathway to enhance lifetime earnings and job stability, especially given the projected growth rate of 2.73% over the next several years in this profession.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,148 | $22.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,506 | $28.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,721 | $32.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,877 | $36.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,757 | $42.67 |
Median Salary Position
3.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,609 (2026 est.). At $67,721, the local median is 3.6% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prior Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prior Lake Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Prior Lake median: $67,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prior Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,173 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -3.60% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $67,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $69,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prior Lake 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.
Prior Lake, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,721 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,752 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,676
2025 BLS Actual
$65,921
2026 Current Est.
$67,721
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,621 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,513 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,921 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,569 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $56,676 (2019) to $65,921 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,569 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,893 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake 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) | $47,148 – $58,506 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,506 – $67,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,721 – $74,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,877 – $88,757 |
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 Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, the local job market currently employs seven physical therapist assistants, which suggests a tight-knit community where opportunities may be limited but potentially rewarding. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, allowing for a fairly comfortable lifestyle given the projected earning potential. In terms of compensation, outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer more competitive pay compared to skilled nursing facilities and other settings. Factors influencing the income spectrum include productivity expectations, with higher compensation often tied to performance metrics and specialized skillsets. For those seeking to maximize their pay in Prior Lake, pursuing additional certifications or transitioning to environments with higher reimbursement rates, like outpatient care, may provide several advantages despite the negative impact of the 15% Medicare cut on certain settings. Understanding the local healthcare landscape and targeting these opportunities can significantly enhance take-home pay for PTAs.
More salary data for Prior Lake, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Prior Lake, MN in 2026?
Is Prior Lake, MN a good place to work as a physical therapist assistant?
Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Prior Lake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Prior Lake?
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Related Pages
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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 $65,921 for physical therapist assistantsin the Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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