Occupational Therapist Salary in St. Paul, MN: $95,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in St. Paul, MN earns a median $95,495/year (≈ $45.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $96,949 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $95,495 in 2026, occupational therapists in St. Paul, Minnesota, find themselves in a competitive compensation environment, albeit slightly below the national median of $103,400. The salary range for this profession spans from $67,122 at the 10th percentile up to $136,195 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings and experience levels within the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlights not only the solid earning potential but also the value placed on advanced certifications such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential. The job market in St. Paul is robust, supported by an array of healthcare facilities that foster opportunities for growth and specialization.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,122 | $32.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,871 | $37.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,495 | $45.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,883 | $53.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,195 | $65.47 |
Median Salary Position
7.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,073 (2026 est.). At $95,495, the local median is 7.65% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $95,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $90,431 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | -7.65% less |
Occupational Therapists in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $95,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.65% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 5.60% above the Minnesota state average of $90,431.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul 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.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $95,495 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,949 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,456
2025 BLS Actual
$92,660
2026 Current Est.
$95,495
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,456 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,684 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,028 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,003 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,418 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $78,456 (2019) to $92,660 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,418 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,962 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $67,122 – $77,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,871 – $95,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,495 – $110,883 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,883 – $136,195 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in St. Paul
In St. Paul, the occupational therapy job market employs approximately 80 professionals, offering diverse career paths across various settings. With a cost of living index at 98.5, the area provides a relatively affordable environment for residents, impacting overall purchasing power and take-home salaries. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals tend to offer higher wages compared to school districts and outpatient clinics. Factors influencing the pay disparity include settings where hospital positions generally lead in compensation due to higher reimbursements and productivity expectations. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapist pay in St. Paul, pursuing additional certifications—like the CHT—and seeking opportunities in rehabilitation hospitals or specialized clinics can enhance earning potential, especially as healthcare demand continues to grow in the region.
More salary data for St. Paul, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in St. Paul, MN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in St. Paul?
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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 $92,660 for occupational therapistsin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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