Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $46.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in St. Cloud, MN runs $46.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,825 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,097 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the projected occupational therapist hourly pay stands at $46.55, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $49.71. This difference impacts various work arrangements, making the role attractive for part-time and per-diem workers in diverse settings such as hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facility therapy rooms, school therapy rooms, home health visits, outpatient hand therapy clinics, and early intervention home visits. The local hourly pay range is expected to span from $32.95 at the entry-level to $53.90 for seasoned professionals, according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for 2026. Such figures reflect the wages available to occupational therapists in St. Cloud, with the flexibility of part-time hours appealing to those looking to balance work with personal lives or additional educational pursuits.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.95 | $263.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.30 | $322.37 |
| Median (P50) | $46.55 | $372.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.90 | $431.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.90 | $431.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $46.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.55/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $96,829 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,863. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,862.09 | $8,069 | $96,829 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,117.25 | $4,841 | $58,097 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $744.84 | $3,228 | $38,731 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (St. Cloud) | $46.55 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $96,825 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.36% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 7.00% above the Minnesota state average of $90,491.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.55/hr = $58,097/year (purchasing power: $66,297).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,829/year (purchasing power: $110,495).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in St. Cloud grew 19.7% from $37.75/hr (2019) to $45.17/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.98/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week at an hourly rate brings home approximately $56,000 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts but still providing a steady income stream. Per diem occupational therapists in St. Cloud may find themselves earning between $50 and $75 per hour, while those with CHT credentials in hand therapy can command rates of $80 to $110 in cash-pay practices. Travel contracts within the field vary widely, with some weekly engagements offering payouts from $1,800 to $2,800, highlighting lucrative opportunities but also the variability inherent to per diem work. Different types of employers across St. Cloud, including skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics, will offer varying compensation models, which might impact decisions regarding benefits like health insurance. Occupational therapists may weigh these factors in negotiations, assessing the potential trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and more stable positions that offer traditional employment benefits.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in St. Cloud in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in St. Cloud?
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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 St. Cloud. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 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