Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Eagan, MN: $42.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Eagan, MN runs $42.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,659 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Eagan's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,197 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Eagan, MN, can expect a median hourly rate of $42.63 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $49.71. This hourly rate provides a practical framework for part-time professionals working three days a week, offering an attractive option for those seeking work-life balance within various environments such as hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, or school therapy rooms. For practitioners in the area, the hourly range for occupational therapists spans from $31.64 at the entry-level (P10) to a maximum of $56.35 for experienced professionals (P90). Given that these figures are derived from projected annual salaries, it highlights the viability of a flexible career path in the therapy domain, perfectly suited to a range of working arrangements including per-diem roles in home health visits or outpatient clinics.
About the Eagan Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.64 | $253.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.62 | $284.94 |
| Median (P50) | $42.63 | $341.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.93 | $399.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.35 | $450.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Eagan
Based on $42.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.63/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Eagan, MN can expect to earn approximately $88,661 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,151. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Eagan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Eagan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,705.02 | $7,388 | $88,661 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,023.01 | $4,433 | $53,197 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $682.01 | $2,955 | $35,465 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Eagan) | $42.63 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Eagan, MN earn a median of $88,659 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $90,469.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.63/hr = $53,197/year (purchasing power: $54,007).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,661/year (purchasing power: $90,011).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$35.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Eagan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Eagan grew 18.1% from $35.02/hr (2019) to $41.36/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eagan 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 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Eagan
Further analysis reveals that a part-time occupational therapist in Eagan could earn significantly less on an annual basis when compared to their full-time counterparts, given that they typically work around 24 hours a week. In per-diem settings, compensation tends to be even more lucrative, with occupational therapists often billing between $50 and $75 per hour; specialized hand therapists, especially those with CHT certification, might command rates as high as $80 to $110 per hour in cash-pay environments. Hourly rates can vary considerably across different employer types in Eagan, including skilled nursing, inpatient rehab, and early intervention programs, with each setting offering unique advantages or trade-offs. With the variability in compensation, some occupational therapists might choose lower hourly rates for the security of benefits, whereas others may prefer higher pay without the fringe benefits. Effective negotiation strategies can benefit hourly workers, emphasizing knowledge of local pay scales and understanding the worth of specialized credentials like the CHT.
More salary data for Eagan, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Eagan in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Eagan?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Eagan. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Eagan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov