Occupational Therapist Salary in Apple Valley, MN: $87,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Apple Valley, MN earns a median $87,699/year (≈ $42.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $89,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Apple Valley, MN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $87,699, reflecting the broader impact of Medicare cuts on skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and outpatient settings post-2022. The salary range spans from $63,591 at the 10th percentile to $113,830 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market for OTs in the region. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, highlight a contrast to the national median, which stands at $103,400. Given the projected growth rate of 3.06% annually, the occupational therapist salary in Apple Valley is influenced not only by local healthcare settings but also by fluctuations in policy and reimbursement rates, which shape the value of therapy services provided within the community.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,591 | $30.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,161 | $34.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,699 | $42.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,653 | $49.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,830 | $54.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, MN, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,239 (2026 est.). At $87,699, the local median is 15.18% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apple Valley Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $87,699/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $90,411 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -15.18% less |
Occupational Therapists in Apple Valley, MN earn a median of $87,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.18% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 3.00% below the Minnesota state average of $90,411.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apple Valley has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apple Valley, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $87,699 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,050
2025 BLS Actual
$85,095
2026 Current Est.
$87,699
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,178 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,576 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,736 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,039 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $72,050 (2019) to $85,095 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,332 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apple Valley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,591 – $72,161 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,161 – $87,699 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,699 – $103,653 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,653 – $113,830 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Apple Valley
With only 13 occupational therapists currently employed in Apple Valley, the local job market is relatively compact but steady. The competitive cost-of-living index of 98.5 allows for a reasonable take-home purchasing power, particularly when considering potential reimbursements from various employers. Among these, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers typically offer the highest salaries for OTs. Factors that influence pay disparities include work settings—positions in hospitals generally yield higher wages than those in schools or SNFs. Additionally, the presence of certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) can provide a significant pay boost. Occupational therapist pay in Apple Valley, MN, is thus shaped by employer type, productivity expectations, and market conditions, with strategies such as pursuing specialized certifications and networking within rehabilitation circles serving to enhance earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Apple Valley, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Apple Valley, MN in 2026?
Is Apple Valley, MN a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Apple Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Apple Valley?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Apple Valley?
Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $85,095 for occupational therapistsin the Apple Valley metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Apple Valley 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