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Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

31-2021 Physical Therapist Assistants



Assist physical therapists in providing physical therapy treatments and procedures. May, in accordance with State laws, assist in the development of treatment plans, carry out routine functions, document the progress of treatment, and modify specific treatments in accordance with patient status and within the scope of treatment plans established by a physical therapist. Generally requires formal training.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Southwest Minnesota 11014$31.56/hr$24.81/hr$28.31/hr$30.65/hr$34.33/hr$37.88/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Professional and Business Services60$27.23/hr
Education and Health Services1,230$31.11/hr
Public AdministrationN/AN/A
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 20$29.16/hrN/A
Northeast Balance of State 30$32.38/hrN/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA 40$29.47/hrN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 40$31.98/hrN/A
Rochester MN MSA 50$31.94/hrN/A
St Cloud MN MSA 50$30.45/hrN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA 70$31.01/hrN/A
Southwest Balance of State 70$30.56/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 70$31.42/hrN/A
Northeast Minnesota 90$31.17/hr19.3%
Duluth MN-WI MSA 90$30.75/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 100$31.68/hr20.8%
Southwest Minnesota 110$30.65/hr23.9%
Northwest Balance of State 120$30.52/hrN/A
Northwest Minnesota 130$30.52/hr25.0%
Central Minnesota 140$31.02/hr25.6%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 650$30.99/hr24.8%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 750$30.88/hrN/A
Minnesota 1,290$30.93/hr24.3%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2022-2032
Physical Therapists 5,220$48.21/hr10.7%
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians 4,250$39.48/hr5.4%
Exercise Physiologists 150$30.08/hr9.5%
Occupational Therapy Assistants 690$29.61/hr20.1%
Medical Assistants 9,930$24.14/hr13.1%


  • Instruct, motivate, safeguard, and assist patients as they practice exercises or functional activities.
  • Observe patients during treatments to compile and evaluate data on their responses and progress and provide results to physical therapist in person or through progress notes.
  • Instruct patients in proper body mechanics and in ways to improve functional mobility, such as aquatic exercise.
  • Document patient information, such as notes on their progress.
  • Clean work area and check and store equipment after treatment.
  • Secure patients into or onto therapy equipment.
  • Administer active or passive manual therapeutic exercises, therapeutic massage, aquatic physical therapy, or heat, light, sound, or electrical modality treatments, such as ultrasound.
  • Confer with physical therapy staff or others to discuss and evaluate patient information for planning, modifying, or coordinating treatment.
  • Prepare treatment areas and electrotherapy equipment for use by physiotherapists.
  • Monitor operation of equipment and record use of equipment and administration of treatment.