Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Rochester, MN: $75,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Rochester, MN earns a median $75,589/year (≈ $36.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $83,229 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, Minnesota, physical therapist assistants can expect to earn a median annual salary of $75,589 by 2026. This figure compares favorably to the national median of $70,247, highlighting the competitive pay within this regional market. The salary range for physical therapist assistants in the city is projected to span from $62,686 at the 10th percentile to $80,602 at the 90th percentile. These insights are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating the robust demand for skilled PTAs who are essential in delivering effective patient care in various healthcare settings. Given the increasing emphasis on quality therapy services, the job market in Rochester offers promising opportunities for those entering this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,686 | $30.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,405 | $30.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,589 | $36.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,602 | $38.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,602 | $38.75 |
Median Salary Position
7.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,916 (2026 est.). At $75,589, the local median is 7.6% above the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be above the median
How Rochester Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $75,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,220 | +9.20% more |
| National Average | $70,247 | +7.60% more |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Rochester, MN earn a median of $75,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.60% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 9.20% above the Minnesota state average of $69,220.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $75,589 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,229 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,920
2025 BLS Actual
$73,580
2026 Current Est.
$75,589
2019–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,652 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 41.7% from $51,920 (2019) to $73,580 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,652 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,732 (49.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $62,686 – $63,405 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,405 – $75,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,589 – $80,602 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,602 – $80,602 |
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 Rochester
Rochester is home to around 50 physical therapist assistants, providing a localized job market where salary dynamics reflect both employer types and the overall cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 90.821, it remains favorable for residents, allowing for a better take-home purchasing power compared to many national benchmarks. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, often the highest payers, attract PTAs seeking to maximize compensation, while skilled nursing facilities typically offer lower pay due to funding cuts impacting Medicare reimbursements. The disparity in pay underscores the importance of productivity standards, with outpatient settings often providing bonuses for higher patient loads. For PTAs looking to enhance their earnings in Rochester, focusing on skill specialization, pursuing advanced education through PTA-to-DPT bridge pathways, or considering opportunities in higher-paying sectors like hospital inpatient rehabilitation can be effective strategies to increase their compensation.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Rochester, MN in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Rochester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Rochester?
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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 $73,580 for physical therapist assistantsin the Rochester 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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