Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Edina, MN: $34.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Edina, MN runs $34.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,783 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Edina's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,470 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Edina, Minnesota, will see a median hourly pay of $34.03, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $35.74. This hourly wage reflects the financial landscape for COTAs in various common settings, such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and hospital rehabilitation units, as well as providing home health visits. For those working part-time, say three days a week, this translates into financial stability while allowing a flexible lifestyle. Edina's occupational therapy assistants can expect to earn between $24.44 and $42.73 hourly, with entry-level positions typically starting at the lower end of that scale, while experienced professionals approach the higher rates.
About the Edina Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.44 | $195.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.94 | $231.53 |
| Median (P50) | $34.03 | $272.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.79 | $302.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.73 | $341.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Edina
Based on $34.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.03/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Edina, MN can expect to earn approximately $70,783 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,836. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Edina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Edina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,361.20 | $5,899 | $70,783 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $816.72 | $3,539 | $42,470 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $544.48 | $2,359 | $28,313 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Edina) | $34.03 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Edina, MN earn a median of $70,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.77% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the Minnesota state average of $73,198.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.03/hr = $42,470/year (purchasing power: $43,116).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,783/year (purchasing power: $71,861).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Edina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Edina grew 17.5% from $28.16/hr (2019) to $33.10/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.99/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Edina 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 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Edina
Exploring the earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants reveals a different picture. A COTA who works three days a week, totalling around 24 hours, could expect to make approximately $42,177 annually, compared to the full-time professionals who earn significantly more. The per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Edina varies, with practitioners often billed at rates from $30 to $45 per hour. Travel contracts can yield premium compensation ranging from $1,100 to $1,700 per week. Interestingly, hourly rates differ based on employer types; those working in skilled nursing facilities or under school district contracts might see varied compensation due to the recent 15% Medicare cuts impacting positions in outpatient and skilled settings. Consequently, some COTAs may opt for lower-paying jobs with benefits over higher hourly wages without coverage. Negotiating pay can also be strategic, with the local market dynamics in mind, ensuring that occupational therapy assistants secure favorable terms considering Edina’s cost of living index and other factors that influence hourly pay.
More salary data for Edina, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Edina in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Edina?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Edina paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Edina?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Edina?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Edina. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Edina 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 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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