Occupational Therapist Pay

Duluth vs Woodbury: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Duluth, MN and Woodbury, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$87,024
$41.83/hr
Woodbury, MN
$91,647
$44.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNWoodbury, MN
Median Salary$87,024$91,647
Hourly Rate$41.83$44.06
Entry Level (P10)$77,769$65,585
25th Percentile$80,737$74,758
75th Percentile$98,999$105,662
Top Earner (P90)$103,431$117,870
Total Employed15018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($87,024) and Woodbury ($91,647) occupational therapist salaries.DuluthWoodburyMedian Salary$87,024$91,647Entry Level (P10)$77,769$65,585Top Earner (P90)$103,431$117,870US Median $103,400

Verdict

Woodbury, MN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Woodbury is $4,623 (5.31%). Woodbury's median is -11.37% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $25,662,Woodbury spans $52,285. Woodbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$77,769
P25$80,737
Median$87,024
P75$98,999
P90 (Top)$103,431
Woodbury
P10 (Entry)$65,585
P25$74,758
Median$91,647
P75$105,662
P90 (Top)$117,870

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($98,035 effective) pays 5.37% more than Woodbury ($93,043 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $87,024
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $98,035
Woodbury
Nominal: $91,647
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $93,043

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,035)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Woodbury if…

  • Higher median salary ($91,647/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,870)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Duluth grew 15.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 1.3% growth in Woodbury over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+15.8%

$72,950 (2019) → $84,440 (2025)

Woodbury, MN

+1.3%

$87,821 (2024) → $88,926 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Duluth or Woodbury?

Woodbury has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $91,647/year, compared to Duluth at $87,024/year — a difference of $4,623 (5.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Woodbury?

Duluth occupational therapists earn $41.83/hr while Woodbury hygienists earn $44.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Woodbury as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Woodbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $98,035, Woodbury = $93,043), job availability (150 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Duluth vs Woodbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $77,769 in Duluth and $65,585 in Woodbury. The Duluth area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov