Physical Therapist Salary in Owatonna, MN: $101,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Owatonna, MN earns a median $101,854/year (≈ $48.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $103,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual physical therapist salary in Owatonna, Minnesota, is projected to be $101,854, slightly below the national median of $105,288. The salary range for therapists in this region spans from $75,875 at the 10th percentile to $127,062 at the 90th percentile. Factors like the choice between working in outpatient clinics, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities can significantly influence pay scales, with outpatient chains often offering lower base salaries but the potential for bonuses based on productivity. These salary figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflect the competitive nature of the job market in Owatonna, as healthcare providers strive to attract qualified professionals in various therapy settings.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,875 | $36.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,758 | $40.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,854 | $48.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,281 | $56.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,062 | $61.09 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,187 (2026 est.). At $101,854, the local median is 3.26% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be above the median
How Owatonna Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $101,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $102,572 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -3.26% less |
Physical Therapists in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $101,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $102,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna 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.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $101,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,523
2025 BLS Actual
$99,409
2026 Current Est.
$101,854
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,523 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,502 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,533 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,958 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,360 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,523 (2019) to $99,409 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,360 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,837 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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) | $75,875 – $83,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,758 – $101,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,854 – $117,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,281 – $127,062 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Owatonna
The local job market currently employs six physical therapists, which indicates a tight-knit community but limited opportunities for expansion within the profession. With a cost of living index of 98.5, Owatonna residents find their purchasing power somewhat enhanced compared to the national average, though salaries must still be carefully managed against local expenses. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics, particularly those that are part of chains like Athletico or ATI, may offer competitive pay structures but expect high productivity levels. The disparity in earnings can often be attributed to factors such as clinical efficiency expectations, board certification stipends (e.g., OCS, SCS), and whether a therapist is compensated within a cash-pay versus insurance reimbursement framework. To maximize earnings in this market, physical therapists should consider obtaining specialized certifications, exploring roles in higher-paying settings such as hospitals, and understanding the dynamics of productivity expectations across different employment models.
More salary data for Owatonna, 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
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 $99,409 for physical therapistsin the Owatonna 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 Owatonna 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