Physical Therapist Assistant in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Minnesota employs 1,230 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $66,770 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.
What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)
- Minnesota median pay
- $66,770 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $58,010
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $73,690
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $77,420
- Employed in Minnesota
- 1,230
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $65,510 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for physical therapist assistants in major Minnesota markets:
- Rochester
- $73,580 (50 employed)
- Minneapolis
- $69,790 (730 employed)
- Duluth
- $64,900 (90 employed)
- St. Cloud
- $64,120 (60 employed)
- Sioux Falls
- $49,080 (120 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota
Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $66,770 median stretches to roughly $67,718 in national buying-power terms.
Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)
Minnesota is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +22.3%, about in line with the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 230 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Minnesota License and Certification Requirements
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy.
- Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
- Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
- Apply to the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy.
Official requirements: Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy →
Training in Minnesota
A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:
- Alexandria Technical & Community College — Associate
- Anoka Technical College — Associate
- Anoka-Ramsey Community College — Associate
- Central Lakes College-Brainerd — Associate
Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Minnesota
Real Minnesota outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:
- The Therapy Place — Bloomington
- Comprehensive Health Clinics — Cambridge
- Team Health Care Clinic PC — Champlin
- Eh Polinsky Medical Rehab Center — Duluth
- Aegis Therapies - Minnesota LLC — Eden Prairie
- Capernaum Pediatric Therapy — Edina
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.
Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.
Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
First Steps
Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in Minnesota?
The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Minnesota is $66,770 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $58,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $77,420. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Minnesota?
Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Minnesota?
Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.
Which Minnesota metros pay physical therapist assistants the most?
Among Minnesota metro areas, Rochester leads at $73,580, followed by Minneapolis ($69,790), Duluth ($64,900). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Minnesota?
Real Minnesota options include Alexandria Technical & Community College, Anoka Technical College, Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Minnesota?
Minnesota projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +22.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 230 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Minnesota wages · Minnesota licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.