Physical Therapist Salary in Prior Lake, MN: $100,421 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Prior Lake, MN earns a median $100,421/year (≈ $48.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Prior Lake's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $101,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Prior Lake, Minnesota, the anticipated physical therapist salary in 2026 is set at $100,421, positioning it slightly below the national median of $105,288. The local salary range reveals significant earning potential, with entry-level positions starting at $75,337 and experienced therapists commanding up to $132,209. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price differentials. The competitive landscape in physical therapy, particularly within cash-pay sports and orthopedic specialties, contributes to this elevated compensation trend, reflecting both demand and the evolving nature of therapy practices in Prior Lake.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,337 | $36.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,049 | $39.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,421 | $48.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,845 | $54.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,209 | $63.57 |
Median Salary Position
4.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, MN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,872 (2026 est.). At $100,421, the local median is 4.62% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prior Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prior Lake Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Prior Lake median: $100,421/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prior Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $102,575 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -4.62% less |
Physical Therapists in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $100,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.62% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $102,575.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prior Lake 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.
Prior Lake, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $100,421 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,950 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,306
2025 BLS Actual
$98,010
2026 Current Est.
$100,421
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,306 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,803 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,203 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,101 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,693 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,421 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,891 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $85,306 (2019) to $98,010 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,585 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake 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) | $75,337 – $83,049 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,049 – $100,421 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,421 – $113,845 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,845 – $132,209 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Prior Lake
With only seven physical therapists currently employed in the Prior Lake area, job opportunities may be limited, but this concentrated market allows for negotiations that can elevate physical therapist pay in Prior Lake MN. The local cost of living index, at 98.5, indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average, which aids in maximizing take-home pay for these professionals. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine facilities typically offer the highest wages compared to hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Variances in salaries can be attributed to factors such as productivity expectations and board certifications, such as OCS or SCS, that can yield stipend bonuses. To maximize earnings in this market, physical therapists should consider specializing in high-demand areas, exploring cash-pay models, and seeking roles that emphasize productivity.
More salary data for Prior Lake, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Prior Lake?
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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 $98,010 for physical therapistsin the Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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