Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Elk River, MN: $67,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Elk River, MN earns a median $67,790/year (≈ $32.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Elk River's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $68,822 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist assistants in Elk River, MN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $67,790, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $70,247. This salary range spans from $50,936 at the 10th percentile to $89,153 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse landscape of compensation based on experience, responsibilities, and workplace settings. These figures are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations, indicating that while Elk River offers competitive pay, it is slightly below the national average for similar roles. As local employment in the field remains stable, the prospects for physical therapist assistants are promising, especially for those considering transition pathways to a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, which can enhance lifetime earning potential.
About the Elk River Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,936 | $24.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,275 | $29.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,790 | $32.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,987 | $36.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,153 | $42.86 |
Median Salary Position
3.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk River
In Elk River, MN, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,217 (2026 est.). At $67,790, the local median is 3.5% below the national median of $70,247.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elk River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elk River Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Elk River median: $67,790/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $69,174 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -3.50% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Elk River, MN earn a median of $67,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.50% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $69,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk River 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.
Elk River, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist assistant earning $67,790 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,822 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,734
2025 BLS Actual
$65,989
2026 Current Est.
$67,790
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Elk River (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,734 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,041 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,839 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,693 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,989 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk River metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $56,734 (2019) to $65,989 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,907 (22.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk River 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) | $50,936 – $61,275 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,275 – $67,790 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,790 – $74,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,987 – $89,153 |
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 Elk River
With only four physical therapist assistants currently employed in Elk River, the job market may seem limited, but it is critical to consider the cost of living, which stands at a lower index of 98.5 compared to the national average. This reality presents an opportunity for residents to maximize their purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics tend to offer the highest salaries, driven by the demand for services and productivity standards. The variance in pay can also be attributed to factors such as the work setting, patient care expectations, and the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement reduction on skilled nursing facilities. To optimize physical therapist assistant pay in Elk River, professional development, specializing in high-demand areas, and pursuing supervisory roles could prove effective strategies aligning with both forecasted industry trends and the needs of the local health care system.
More salary data for Elk River, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapist assistants make $100K in Elk River?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist assistant salary in Elk River?
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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 $65,989 for physical therapist assistantsin the Elk River 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 Elk River 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