Physical Therapist Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $48.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist working in St. Cloud, MN runs $48.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,087 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $55.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,649 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, the physical therapist hourly pay is projected at $48.60 for 2026, which presents a slightly lower figure compared to the national median of $50.62. This rate creates diverse opportunities for both part-time physical therapists working in various environments, including outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits. A part-time physical therapist working three days a week could expect to earn a competitive wage while enjoying flexible scheduling that fits their lifestyle. The salary range in St. Cloud for physical therapists varies, with entry-level positions starting around $37.30 per hour and top earners reaching $60.98. The hourly data provided is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing an accurate representation of the job market in this region.
Physical Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.30 | $298.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.67 | $341.40 |
| Median (P50) | $48.60 | $388.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.97 | $447.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.98 | $487.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $48.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.60/hr, a physical therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $101,081 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,316. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,943.87 | $8,423 | $101,081 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,166.32 | $5,054 | $60,649 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $777.55 | $3,369 | $40,433 |
Compare PT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist (St. Cloud) | $48.60 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Chiropractor (National Avg) | $36.85 |
| Exercise Physiologist (National Avg) | $26.75 |
Physical Therapists in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $101,087 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.99% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.50% below the Minnesota state average of $102,626.
Physical Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.60/hr = $60,649/year (purchasing power: $69,208).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,081/year (purchasing power: $115,347).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapists in St. Cloud grew 19.8% from $39.59/hr (2019) to $47.43/hr (2025). At a 2.46% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.79/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist in St. Cloud
Considering the financial landscape for physical therapists in St. Cloud, part-time practitioners can anticipate annual earnings that reflect their commitment and hours worked. For instance, a 24-hour work week could result in approximately $61,036 received annually, a figure that contrasts significantly with full-time employment. Per diem physical therapist pay in St. Cloud typically falls within the range of $50 to $75 per hour, offering an alternative to standard employment, especially for those seeking varied work experiences. Moreover, traveling PT positions can provide even higher compensation, often ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 weekly. Hourly rates can fluctuate across different healthcare settings in St. Cloud, as outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine centers might pay differently than hospital systems or skilled nursing facilities. Understanding this variability enables physical therapists to negotiate effectively, balancing hourly pay with benefits such as health insurance. Being aware of what local facilities offer can help professionals optimize their earning potential while pursuing their career goals.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapists in St. Cloud. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov