Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Apple Valley, MN: $67,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Apple Valley, MN earns a median $67,085/year (≈ $32.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $68,107 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapist assistants (PTAs) in Apple Valley, MN, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $67,085 in 2026, which falls slightly below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for PTAs in the area varies significantly, reflecting the diverse settings in which they work; salaries range from $47,554 at the lower end (P10) to $86,661 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, and factor in local economic conditions, including the cost of living in Apple Valley, which could impact the purchasing power of these salaries. As the local market continues to evolve, opportunities for PTAs who pursue a bridging pathway to become Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) graduates may also enhance their lifetime earning potential.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,554 | $22.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,716 | $28.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,085 | $32.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,468 | $37.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,661 | $41.67 |
Median Salary Position
4.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,107 (2026 est.). At $67,085, the local median is 4.5% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be above the median
How Apple Valley Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $67,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,160 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -4.50% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Apple Valley, MN earn a median of $67,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 3.00% below the Minnesota state average of $69,160.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apple Valley 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.
Apple Valley, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,085 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,107 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,144
2025 BLS Actual
$65,302
2026 Current Est.
$67,085
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,144 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,426 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,945 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,196 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,029 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,302 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $56,144 (2019) to $65,302 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,772 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apple Valley 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) | $47,554 – $58,716 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,716 – $67,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,085 – $78,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,468 – $86,661 |
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 Apple Valley
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently 13 physical therapist assistants employed in Apple Valley, MN. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, those earnings translate to a competitive standard of living relative to national averages. The highest-paying opportunities for PTAs typically exist within outpatient orthopedic clinics, though skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings also offer solid compensation packages. The earnings spread within the profession can be attributed to various factors, including the different settings where PTAs work, productivity expectations, and the ongoing impact of Medicare’s 15% cut on services provided by PTAs. Maximizing pay in Apple Valley may involve a focus on outpatient clinics, seeking supervisory roles, or pursuing specialty certifications that command higher compensation. For those looking to enhance their career, considering further education toward a DPT can also yield significant returns over time.
More salary data for Apple Valley, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Apple Valley, MN in 2026?
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Apple Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Apple Valley?
How much does a physical therapist assistant make per hour in Apple Valley?
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 $65,302 for physical therapist assistantsin the Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley 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