Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Louis Park, MN: $33.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in St. Louis Park, MN runs $33.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,517 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against St. Louis Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,316 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Louis Park, Minnesota, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $33.91 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74, reflecting local market dynamics. For COTAs working part-time—such as those on a 24-hour workweek schedule—this pay equates to approximately $1,632 monthly, which can be appealing for individuals pursuing flexible work arrangements. Additionally, per-diem occupational therapy assistant pay in St. Louis Park typically falls within a broader range, starting around $25.00 for entry-level positions and stretching up to $41.25 for top earners. These rates stem from estimates based on annual salary data and are applicable across various work environments like skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, outpatient clinics, and home health visits.
About the St. Louis Park 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) | $25.00 | $200.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.21 | $233.67 |
| Median (P50) | $33.91 | $271.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.96 | $295.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.25 | $329.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Louis Park
Based on $33.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.91/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Louis Park, MN can expect to earn approximately $70,526 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,688. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Louis Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Louis Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,356.27 | $5,877 | $70,526 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $813.76 | $3,526 | $42,316 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $542.51 | $2,351 | $28,210 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (St. Louis Park) | $33.91 |
| 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 St. Louis Park, MN earn a median of $70,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.70% below the Minnesota state average of $73,227.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.91/hr = $42,316/year (purchasing power: $42,960).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,526/year (purchasing power: $71,600).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in St. Louis Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis Park grew 17.5% from $28.06/hr (2019) to $32.98/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.86/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 St. Louis Park 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 St. Louis Park
The earning potential for a part-time occupational therapy assistant in St. Louis Park may offer distinct advantages compared to full-time roles. A 3-day workweek, for instance, yields a more manageable workload, appealing especially to those balancing other commitments. However, COTAs who pursue per-diem opportunities can command rates between $30 and $45 per hour, with travel contracts yielding up to $1,700 weekly. Since the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services post-2022 has influenced hourly rates—particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient settings—it's wise for practitioners to consider the type of employer and settings they prefer. COTAs at outpatient clinics may earn less hourly compared to those in hospitals or private agencies but could benefit from health insurance offerings. Negotiating pay can vary by workplace, so understanding the value of benefits versus hourly rates is crucial for those entering the field in St. Louis Park.
More salary data for St. Louis Park, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis Park in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in St. Louis Park?
Are occupational therapy assistants in St. Louis Park paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in St. Louis Park?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in St. Louis Park?
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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 St. Louis Park. 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 St. Louis Park 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