Physical Therapist Salary in Mankato, MN: $103,751 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Mankato, MN earns a median $103,751/year (≈ $49.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Mankato's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $114,068 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapists in Mankato, Minnesota can expect to earn a median annual salary of $103,751, according to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The salary range for this profession reflects varying levels of experience and specialization, with the lowest earners at $88,136 and the highest reaching $124,315. These figures highlight the competitive nature of the local job market, where physical therapist pay in Mankato MN can be influenced by factors such as clinical productivity and the number of patient visits per day. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those entering this field as they navigate their career trajectory.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,136 | $42.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,585 | $43.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,751 | $49.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,956 | $52.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,315 | $59.76 |
Median Salary Position
1.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mankato
In Mankato, MN, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,179 (2026 est.). At $103,751, the local median is 1.46% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mankato: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mankato Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Mankato median: $103,751/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mankato Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $102,622 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $105,288 | -1.46% less |
Physical Therapists in Mankato, MN earn a median of $103,751 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.46% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 1.10% above the Minnesota state average of $102,622.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mankato has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mankato, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.955 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $103,751 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,068 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,160
2025 BLS Actual
$101,260
2026 Current Est.
$103,751
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Mankato (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,751 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,303 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mankato metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 18.9% from $85,160 (2019) to $101,260 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,143 (24.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mankato 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) | $88,136 – $90,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,585 – $103,751 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,751 – $108,956 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,956 – $124,315 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Mankato
In the Mankato area, there are about 100 physical therapists employed, reflecting a stable demand for these healthcare professionals. The cost of living index, currently at 90.955, indicates that earning a salary here may provide a considerably higher take-home purchasing power relative to larger urban areas. Among the various employers in the region, outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as Athletico and ATI, often offer competitive compensation alongside productivity bonuses, although hospital settings may provide more overall stability and benefits. The income range can diverge significantly due to factors such as board certification stipends (like OCS or SCS), practice models (cash-pay versus insurance-based), and productivity expectations driven by reimbursement rates. For therapists aiming to maximize their earnings in Mankato, pursuing specialization, seeking positions with higher productivity expectations, or exploring clinics that offer ownership equity can enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Mankato, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Mankato, MN in 2026?
Is Mankato, MN a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Mankato?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Mankato?
How much does a physical therapist make per hour in Mankato?
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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 $101,260 for physical therapistsin the Mankato 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