Occupational Therapists Salary
Occupational Therapists in Minnesota make a median of $93,050 a year, or about $44.74 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $109K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $100,486 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 23.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $93K get you in Minnesota?
About occupational therapists
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Occupational therapists pay in Minnesota tracks closely to the national median, $93K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 7% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,384/month, 24.1% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $93K. Top earners bring in $109K or more, a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Therapists salary by metro in Minnesota
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $94K | +1% | 110 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $94K | +1% | 2,590 |
| Mankato | $88K | -6% | 50 |
| Rochester | $85K | -9% | 300 |
| Duluth | $84K | -9% | 150 |
Compare to other states
Track occupational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a occupational therapist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $93K, rent takes 24.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for occupational therapists in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new occupational therapists typically earn — is $72K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,306/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 32% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is occupational therapist a high-paying job in Minnesota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $93K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for occupational therapists?
Minnesota pays $93K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $100K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do occupational therapists make in Minnesota?
The median is $93,050 a year, that works out to about $45 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,770, and experienced occupational therapists can clear $108,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $93K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,746/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 24.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a occupational therapists salary go in Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational therapists salary is worth about $100,486 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.