Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rochester, MN: $73,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Rochester, MN earns a median $73,703/year (≈ $35.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $74,825 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rochester, Minnesota, can anticipate a median annual salary of $73,703 in 2026, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $74,332. The projected salary range stretches from $54,230 at the 10th percentile to $94,863 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum based on experience and work setting. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, emphasizing the influence of local market conditions on occupational therapy assistant pay in Rochester. As productivity expectations and patient visits per day significantly impact earnings, those entering the field should be prepared for the realities of a competitive job market where efficiency directly correlates with compensation.
About the Rochester Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,230 | $26.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,703 | $35.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,725 | $39.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,863 | $45.61 |
Median Salary Position
0.85% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,633 (2026 est.). At $73,703, the local median is 0.85% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $73,703/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $73,191 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.85% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rochester, MN earn a median of $73,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% above the Minnesota state average of $73,191.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester 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.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $73,703 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,825 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,990
2025 BLS Actual
$71,689
2026 Current Est.
$73,703
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,408 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,208 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,707 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,444 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,442 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,689 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,990 (2019) to $71,689 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,785 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $54,230 – $63,840 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,840 – $73,703 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,703 – $82,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,725 – $94,863 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Rochester
In Rochester, 29 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, navigating a job market characterized by a slightly below-average cost of living index at 98.5. This environment allows for improved purchasing power, although the effects of a 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services continue to compress pay across various settings. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer higher salaries compared to outpatient clinics and school district contracts, reflecting differing funding models and productivity demands. To maximize earnings, COTAs may consider pursuing roles in high-demand settings or obtaining additional certifications that enhance their marketability. Additionally, understanding the seasonal fluctuations in educational settings can provide insights into optimal periods for employment and income stability in Rochester, MN.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Rochester, MN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Rochester?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Rochester?
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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
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 $71,689 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Rochester metropolitan area. A 2.81% 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 Rochester 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