Senior Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Maplewood, MN: $85,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of physical therapist assistants working in Maplewood, MN — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $85,436/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-2021. Strip back Maplewood's price premium (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $86,737 in average-cost America. The 28% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Senior physical therapist assistants in Maplewood, Minnesota, are well-poised to secure attractive compensation, with the potential for top earners reaching $85,436 in 2026. This figure represents a significant premium that illustrates the salary gap between the median salary of $66,695 and those at the highest earning tier. Given that this metropolitan area offers competitive pay to experienced professionals, aspiring to top physical therapist assistant salary in Maplewood requires not just extensive experience, typically over seven years, but also specialization and advanced credentials. Such attributes can elevate a caregiver’s professional profile and enhance earning potential significantly compared to the national median salary of $70,247.
About the Maplewood Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Maplewood
Experienced physical therapist assistants at the top of the pay scale in Maplewood earn between $76,480 and $85,436 per year (2026 est.). This $35,183 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Maplewood median of $66,695 sits 5.06% below the US median.
Top PTA Salary Comparison
| Level | Maplewood | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $66,695 | $70,247 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,480 | $80,828 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $85,436 | $91,954 |
In Maplewood, experienced physical therapist assistants (P90) earn 28.10% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Physical Therapist Assistant Pay in Maplewood
Advanced Certifications in Minnesota
MN physical therapist assistants with additional specialty certifications within the physical therapy field earn significantly above the $66,695 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Maplewood employers.
Specialty Focus
Physical Therapist Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the physical therapy field in Maplewood command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,480–$85,436 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Maplewood 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 Maplewood 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 Maplewood
Clinical Physical Therapist Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Physical Therapist Assistant
5-10 yearsPhysical Therapist Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedMaplewood ranks #28 of 44 Minnesota cities for top earner physical therapist assistant salary (90th percentile: $85,436).
Top 10% physical therapist assistant compensation in Maplewood ($85,436) is 3.59% above the Minnesota average P90 ($82,477).
2019 BLS Actual
$75,110
2025 BLS Actual
$83,166
2026 Current Est.
$85,436
2019–2027 Growth
+16.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Maplewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,625 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,189 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,534 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,013 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,769 | Projected |
Top-earning physical therapist assistants (90th percentile) in Maplewood saw their compensation grow 10.7% from $75,110 in 2019 to $83,166 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 $87,769 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maplewood 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 Maplewood
Expertise in niche fields can be particularly advantageous in Maplewood, where physical therapist assistants focused on specialties like orthopedic care, geriatric rehabilitation, and sports medicine tend to command higher pay rates. Compensation varies across employer types, with outpatient orthopedic clinics and skilled nursing facilities typically offering different financial incentives. Positions in hospital inpatient rehab, home health agencies, or pediatric clinics may provide diverse opportunities with distinct compensation structures. Advancement paths, such as obtaining a PTA-to-DPT bridge or taking on a lead PTA role, can foster further salary enhancements. Moreover, advanced credentials not only raise marketability but also sometimes come with additional pay boosts. Non-salary benefits like increased productivity expectations or supervisory responsibilities can also influence overall compensation, especially in an evolving healthcare climate that includes the impact of the recent 15% Medicare cut for PTA services.
More salary data for Maplewood, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced physical therapist assistants make in Maplewood in 2026?
What drives higher physical therapist assistant pay in Maplewood?
What certifications boost physical therapist assistant salary in Maplewood?
Can experienced physical therapist assistants make six figures in Maplewood?
How much does physical therapist assistant salary increase over time in Maplewood?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $83,166 for physical therapist assistants in the Maplewood 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 Maplewood 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