Physical Therapist Salary in Minnesota: $103,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $103,903/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $105,485 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($102,450), Maple Grove ($101,498), Woodbury ($101,458).
The projected average median salary for physical therapists in Minnesota in 2026 is $103,904, which is slightly below the national median of $105,288, reflecting a difference of -1.3%. Notably, the highest paying city is Minneapolis, where salaries reach $104,970, while Faribault offers the lowest at $96,922, creating a salary gap of $8,048. This disparity is often driven by factors such as cost of living, demand for physical therapy services, and local healthcare infrastructure. Minnesota has specific state licensing requirements and regulations that dictate the scope of practice for physical therapists, influencing the profession's operational landscape. The demand for these professionals is expected to grow, supported by population health trends and an aging population, contributing to an annual growth rate of 2.46%. Overall, the job market for physical therapists in Minnesota is projected to remain stable, with approximately 4,762 professionals employed across 44 metro areas. In addition to Minneapolis, other cities like Maple Grove at $103,995, Woodbury at $103,954, St. Paul at $103,916, and Eden Prairie at $103,857 also reflect competitive salaries driven by local demand dynamics. Those considering a career in physical therapy can expect a solid outlook in this sector moving forward.
Minnesota Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $72,099 (lowest entry-level) to $148,198 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota physical therapists earn 1.32% less than the national median ($-1,385/year difference).
Minnesota Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Minnesota range from $86,159 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $125,187 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,903. The Minnesota median is $1,385 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $49.96/hr. Approximately 4,762 physical therapists are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$84,054
2025 BLS Actual
$101,409
2026 Current Est.
$103,903
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,054 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,276 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,413 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,159 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,003 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,459 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 20.6% from $84,054 (2019) to $101,409 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,459 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,405 (26.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $101,087 | 87.632 | $115,354 |
| Mankato | $103,751 | 90.955 | $114,068 |
| Rochester | $102,603 | 90.821 | $112,973 |
| Duluth | $99,069 | 88.768 | $111,604 |
| Maple Grove | $103,995 | 98.5 | $105,579 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $86,159 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,903 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $125,187 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $104,970 |
| 2 | Maple Grove | $103,995 |
| 3 | Woodbury | $103,954 |
| 4 | St. Paul | $103,916 |
| 5 | Eden Prairie | $103,857 |
| 6 | Mankato | $103,751 |
| 7 | Bloomington | $103,111 |
| 8 | Rochester | $102,603 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $101,854 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $101,719 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $101,541 |
| 12 | Roseville | $101,480 |
| 13 | Chaska | $101,401 |
| 14 | Minnetonka | $101,378 |
| 15 | Cottage Grove | $101,265 |
| 16 | Burnsville | $101,183 |
| 17 | St. Cloud | $101,087 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $100,809 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $100,740 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $100,580 |
| 21 | Eagan | $100,566 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $100,541 |
| 23 | Elk River | $100,525 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $100,421 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $100,055 |
| 26 | Blaine | $99,631 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $99,476 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $99,378 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $99,363 |
| 30 | Savage | $99,203 |
| 31 | Edina | $99,193 |
| 32 | Duluth | $99,069 |
| 33 | Maplewood | $98,901 |
| 34 | Andover | $98,876 |
| 35 | Richfield | $98,829 |
| 36 | St. Louis Park | $98,821 |
| 37 | Moorhead | $98,677 |
| 38 | Northfield | $97,963 |
| 39 | Hastings | $97,755 |
| 40 | Fridley | $97,315 |
| 41 | Winona | $97,237 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $97,197 |
| 43 | Austin | $97,045 |
| 44 | Faribault | $96,922 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Minnesota?
How many physical therapists are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for physical therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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