Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Faribault, MN: $82,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Faribault, MN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $82,514/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Faribault's price premium (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $83,771 in average-cost America. The 26% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For seasoned professionals in Faribault, Minnesota, pursuing a career as a physical therapist assistant can yield a top physical therapist assistant salary of $82,514 in 2026, significantly enhancing the income potential for those in the field. This high-end compensation illustrates a substantial gap compared to the median annual salary of $65,361. While the overall earnings for experienced physical therapist assistant salaries in Faribault are competitive, they fall approximately 6.96% below the projected national average of $70,247. To reach such top-tier pay, professionals must typically accumulate at least seven years of experience and may also need to pursue additional certifications, advanced proficiencies, or leadership roles within their practice to position themselves effectively within the market.
About the Faribault Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Faribault
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Faribault earn between $74,683 and $82,514 per year (2026 est.). This $35,939 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Faribault median of $65,361 sits 6.96% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Faribault | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $65,361 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,683 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $82,514 | $91,954 |
In Faribault, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 26.24% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Faribault
Advanced Certifications in Minnesota
MN physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $65,361 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Faribault employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Faribault command premium compensation, often reaching the $74,683–$82,514 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Faribault metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced physical therapist assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured physical therapist assistants in Faribault with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Physical Therapist Assistants in Minnesota who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Physical Therapist Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in Faribault
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedFaribault ranks #34 of 44 Minnesota cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $82,514).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Faribault ($82,514) is 0.05% above the Minnesota average P90 ($82,477).
2019 BLS Actual
$72,541
2025 BLS Actual
$80,321
2026 Current Est.
$82,514
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Faribault (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,541 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,004 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,711 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,321 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,766 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Faribault saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $72,541 in 2019 to $80,321 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.73% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $84,766 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Faribault 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.
Maximizing Your Physical Therapist Assistant Earnings in Faribault
Compensation for experienced physical therapist assistants in Faribault varies considerably by specialization and employer type. Those focusing on orthopedics, geriatrics, pediatric care, sports medicine, or home health often command higher salaries due to the complexities and demands of these specialties. Employment settings also impact pay; outpatient orthopedic clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and hospitals offer diverse salary structures influenced by productivity expectations and the administration of services under various rules, including the 15% Medicare cut affecting many rehabilitative environments since 2022. Career advancement pathways for senior roles include lead PTA positions and clinic operation supervisors, with opportunities for professional development through PTA-to-DPT bridge programs and advanced proficiency certifications from APTA. Ultimately, non-salary benefits such as advancement opportunities, clinic settings, and employment contracts play crucial roles in shaping senior physical therapist assistant pay in MN, particularly as the field navigates evolving reimbursement landscapes.
More salary data for Faribault, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Faribault in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Faribault?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Faribault?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Faribault?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Faribault?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $80,321 for physical therapist assistants in the Faribault metro area. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Faribault 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