Physical Therapist Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $104,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Minneapolis, MN earns a median $104,970/year (≈ $50.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Minneapolis's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.8), that paycheck buys what $100,141 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $104,970 for 2026, physical therapist salaries in Minneapolis demonstrate a competitive compensation landscape that slightly lags behind the national median of $105,288. The salary range spans from $88,720 at the 10th percentile to $124,325 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a significant variance based on experience, specialized certifications, and clinical settings. This data is derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and reflects the ongoing pressures on physical therapists to meet productivity expectations, which undoubtedly influences hourly compensation rates. As employers increasingly seek efficiency, effective strategies to optimize patient visits and overall productivity are becoming essential components of a successful career in this profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,720 | $42.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,806 | $47.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,970 | $50.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,360 | $53.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,325 | $59.78 |
Median Salary Position
0.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, MN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,605 (2026 est.). At $104,970, the local median is 0.3% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Minneapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Minneapolis Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Minneapolis median: $104,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minneapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $102,610 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -0.30% less |
Physical Therapists in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $104,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.30% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.30% above the Minnesota state average of $102,610.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minneapolis has a cost of living 4.82% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minneapolis, MN has a cost-of-living index of 104.822 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,970 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,141 — a 4.6% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,940
2025 BLS Actual
$102,450
2026 Current Est.
$104,970
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,553 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 22.1% from $83,940 (2019) to $102,450 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,553 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,613 (28.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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) | $88,720 – $99,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,806 – $104,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,970 – $110,360 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,360 – $124,325 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Minneapolis
In the Minneapolis area, there are currently 3,360 employed physical therapists, providing a strong foundation for job opportunities amidst the rising cost of living, which is indexed at 104.822. This higher-than-average cost of living inevitably affects take-home pay, making it critical for physical therapists to seek employment from higher-paying sectors. Outpatient orthopedic clinics, including prominent chains like ATI and Athletico, may offer less pay relative to hospital systems but often include productivity bonuses that can enhance overall earning potential. Factors driving the wide pay spread in this market include board certifications such as Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), productivity expectations, and whether a practitioner is in cash-pay versus insurance-based practices. To maximize earnings, physical therapists in Minneapolis should pursue specialization, negotiate effectively for their worth, and possibly consider transitioning into high-demand clinical settings.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Minneapolis, MN in 2026?
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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 $102,450 for physical therapistsin the Minneapolis 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
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