Physical Therapist Salary in Apple Valley, MN: $99,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Apple Valley, MN earns a median $99,476/year (≈ $47.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $100,991 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, physical therapists in Apple Valley, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $99,476. This figure is slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary for physical therapists in the area shows a wide range, with the lowest ten percent earning approximately $75,725 and the highest reaching up to $129,111. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for local cost adjustments to present an accurate financial picture within Apple Valley's market context. The shift towards cash-pay models in the sports and orthopedic sectors has particularly influenced top-end remuneration, creating opportunities for therapists with advanced skills and experience to command higher salaries.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,725 | $36.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,450 | $40.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,476 | $47.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,184 | $57.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,111 | $62.07 |
Median Salary Position
5.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, MN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,386 (2026 est.). At $99,476, the local median is 5.52% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apple Valley Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $99,476/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $102,553 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -5.52% less |
Physical Therapists in Apple Valley, MN earn a median of $99,476 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.52% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 3.00% below the Minnesota state average of $102,553.
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 earning $99,476 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,991 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,503
2025 BLS Actual
$97,088
2026 Current Est.
$99,476
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,503 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,987 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,342 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,326 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,206 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,859 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,088 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $84,503 (2019) to $97,088 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,420 (20.61%) 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 2.46% 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) | $75,725 – $83,450 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,450 – $99,476 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,476 – $119,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,184 – $129,111 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Apple Valley
In terms of the local job market, Apple Valley currently hosts about 13 employed physical therapists. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 98.5, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that physical therapists here may enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include outpatient orthopedic clinics such as Athletico and hospital systems that emphasize specialized rehabilitation services. Variations in income often depend on several factors, such as the productivity expectations set by employers and the prevailing reimbursement models—often incentivizing higher returns in cash-pay practices. For those looking to maximize their physical therapist pay in Apple Valley, obtaining board certifications like OCS or SCS can enhance marketability and allow for negotiating higher compensation, especially in a competitive job market where specialty skills are increasingly valued.
More salary data for Apple Valley, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Apple Valley, MN in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Apple Valley?
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Related Pages
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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
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 $97,088 for physical therapistsin the Apple Valley metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 2.46%, 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