OT Assistant Salary

Maple Grove vs St. Paul: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Maple Grove, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maple Grove, MN
$74,210
$35.68/hr
St. Paul, MN
$67,387
$32.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaple Grove, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$74,210$67,387
Hourly Rate$35.68$32.40
Entry Level (P10)$52,979$47,213
25th Percentile$62,881$56,999
75th Percentile$82,060$73,551
Top Earner (P90)$92,954$90,914
Total Employed1480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maple Grove ($74,210) and St. Paul ($67,387) occupational therapy assistant salaries.Maple GroveSt. PaulMedian Salary$74,210$67,387Entry Level (P10)$52,979$47,213Top Earner (P90)$92,954$90,914US Median $74,332

Verdict

Maple Grove, MN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Paul.

The salary gap between Maple Grove and St. Paul is $6,823 (10.13%). Maple Grove's median is -0.16% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maple Grove spans $39,975,St. Paul spans $43,701. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Maple Grove
P10 (Entry)$52,979
P25$62,881
Median$74,210
P75$82,060
P90 (Top)$92,954
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$47,213
P25$56,999
Median$67,387
P75$73,551
P90 (Top)$90,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Maple Grove ($75,340 effective) pays 10.13% more than St. Paul ($68,413 effective).

Maple Grove
Nominal: $74,210
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $75,340
St. Paul
Nominal: $67,387
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $68,413

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maple Grove if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,210/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,954)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,340)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Maple Grove grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.0% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Maple Grove, MN

+9.5%

$65,892 (2024) → $72,182 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+-3.0%

$67,575 (2024) → $65,545 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Maple Grove or St. Paul?

Maple Grove has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $74,210/year, compared to St. Paul at $67,387/year — a difference of $6,823 (10.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maple Grove and St. Paul?

Maple Grove occupational therapy assistants earn $35.68/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $32.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maple Grove to St. Paul as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maple Grove and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maple Grove = $75,340, St. Paul = $68,413), job availability (14 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Maple Grove vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $52,979 in Maple Grove and $47,213 in St. Paul. The Maple Grove area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov