Occupational Therapist Salary in Owatonna, MN: $89,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Owatonna, MN earns a median $89,795/year (≈ $43.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $91,162 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Owatonna, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is estimated to be $89,795, which reflects a competitive yet comparatively lower figure than the national median of $103,400. With a salary range spanning from $63,546 at the 10th percentile to $112,023 at the 90th percentile, prospective therapists can expect varying levels of compensation based on their qualifications and specific work settings. Local estimates suggest the pay in Owatonna leans slightly lower due to a cost-of-living index of 98.5, indicating that occupational therapist compensation in this city tends to fall below the national average. Factors affecting individual salaries include choices between employment in schools versus hospitals or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), alongside year-round versus school-year positions, which presents a unique dynamic in Owatonna's job market.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,546 | $30.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,376 | $34.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,795 | $43.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,962 | $49.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,023 | $53.86 |
Median Salary Position
13.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,477 (2026 est.). At $89,795, the local median is 13.16% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be above the median
How Owatonna Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $89,795/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $90,428 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -13.16% less |
Occupational Therapists in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $89,795 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.16% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $90,428.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna 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.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $89,795 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,162 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$73,773
2025 BLS Actual
$87,129
2026 Current Est.
$89,795
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Owatonna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,773 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,928 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,047 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $73,773 (2019) to $87,129 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,770 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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) | $63,546 – $72,376 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,376 – $89,795 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,795 – $101,962 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,962 – $112,023 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Owatonna
The local job market shows a modest presence of six employed occupational therapists, indicating a tight-knit community with limited competition. The cost-of-living reality in Owatonna makes the take-home pay from an occupational therapist salary more vital, as it allows for reasonable purchasing power despite the lower pay scale. Employers in the region, particularly skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation, tend to offer higher wages compared to school district contracts. The disparity in occupational therapist pay in Owatonna is influenced by factors such as work setting, the potential for additional pay tied to board certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and varying productivity expectations throughout the year. To maximize earnings in this market, therapists should consider pursuing specialty certifications and seek positions in settings with a greater focus on productivity, such as outpatient clinics or SNF environments.
More salary data for Owatonna, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Owatonna, MN in 2026?
Is Owatonna, MN a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Owatonna?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Owatonna?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Owatonna?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $87,129 for occupational therapistsin the Owatonna 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 Owatonna 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