Physical Therapist Pay

Brooklyn Center vs Duluth: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Brooklyn Center, MN and Duluth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brooklyn Center, MN
$100,541
$48.34/hr
Duluth, MN
$99,069
$47.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrooklyn Center, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$100,541$99,069
Hourly Rate$48.34$47.63
Entry Level (P10)$75,732$80,779
25th Percentile$83,295$83,618
75th Percentile$114,200$104,489
Top Earner (P90)$132,601$112,317
Total Employed7270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brooklyn Center ($100,541) and Duluth ($99,069) physical therapist salaries.Brooklyn CenterDuluthMedian Salary$100,541$99,069Entry Level (P10)$75,732$80,779Top Earner (P90)$132,601$112,317US Median $105,288

Verdict

Brooklyn Center, MN offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Brooklyn Center and Duluth is $1,472 (1.49%). Brooklyn Center's median is -4.51% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brooklyn Center spans $56,869,Duluth spans $31,538. Brooklyn Center has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brooklyn Center
P10 (Entry)$75,732
P25$83,295
Median$100,541
P75$114,200
P90 (Top)$132,601
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$80,779
P25$83,618
Median$99,069
P75$104,489
P90 (Top)$112,317

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($111,604 effective) pays 9.34% more than Brooklyn Center ($102,072 effective).

Brooklyn Center
Nominal: $100,541
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $102,072
Duluth
Nominal: $99,069
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $111,604

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brooklyn Center if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,541/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,601)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $111,604)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Brooklyn Center grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.3% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Brooklyn Center, MN

+10.5%

$88,798 (2024) → $98,127 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+17.3%

$82,400 (2019) → $96,690 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Brooklyn Center or Duluth?

Brooklyn Center has a higher median physical therapist salary at $100,541/year, compared to Duluth at $99,069/year — a difference of $1,472 (1.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brooklyn Center and Duluth?

Brooklyn Center physical therapists earn $48.34/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $47.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brooklyn Center to Duluth as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brooklyn Center and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brooklyn Center = $102,072, Duluth = $111,604), job availability (7 vs 270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Brooklyn Center vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $75,732 in Brooklyn Center and $80,779 in Duluth. The Duluth area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AM

Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov