Occupational Therapist Salary in Blaine, MN: $87,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Blaine, MN earns a median $87,835/year (≈ $42.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Blaine's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $89,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapist salary in Blaine, MN is projected to reach $87,835, which is notably lower than the national median of $103,400. This discrepancy reflects the ongoing challenges posed by Medicare cuts affecting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient settings, potentially impacting compensation strategies for local therapists. Within the city, salaries will range from $63,903 at the lower decile to $114,499 at the upper decile, indicating a diverse pay structure that allows for variations based on experience and specialty. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors, highlighting the nuanced job market in Blaine as it adapts to the needs of its healthcare sector.
About the Blaine Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,903 | $30.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,433 | $34.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,835 | $42.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,916 | $48.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,499 | $55.04 |
Median Salary Position
15.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blaine
In Blaine, MN, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,596 (2026 est.). At $87,835, the local median is 15.05% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blaine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blaine Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Blaine median: $87,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blaine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $90,458 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -15.05% less |
Occupational Therapists in Blaine, MN earn a median of $87,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.05% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 2.90% below the Minnesota state average of $90,458.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blaine 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.
Blaine, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $87,835 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,173 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,162
2025 BLS Actual
$85,227
2026 Current Est.
$87,835
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Blaine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,162 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,292 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,689 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,153 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,863 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,169 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,227 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blaine metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $72,162 (2019) to $85,227 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,361 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blaine 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) | $63,903 – $72,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,433 – $87,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,835 – $101,916 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,916 – $114,499 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Blaine
The local job market shows a solid presence of 18 occupational therapists, yet the cost-of-living index of 98.5 indicates that earnings in Blaine might stretch further than in more expensive regions. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units typically offer higher compensation compared to outpatient therapy clinics or school district contracts. Factors such as board certification in hand therapy (CHT) can provide a premium for specialized therapists, whereas productivity expectations and the nature of contracts—year-round versus school-year only—can also influence overall pay. For occupational therapists aiming to maximize their earnings in Blaine, pursuing additional certifications, like CHT, and seeking roles in higher-paying settings are effective strategies to boost their occupational therapist pay in Blaine MN.
More salary data for Blaine, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Blaine, MN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Blaine?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Blaine?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Blaine?
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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 $85,227 for occupational therapistsin the Blaine 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 Blaine 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