Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Shoreview, MN: $69,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Shoreview, MN earns a median $69,359/year (≈ $33.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Shoreview's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $70,415 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Shoreview, MN, can expect a median annual salary of $69,359 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role in Shoreview spans from $51,074 at the 10th percentile to $82,192 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a dynamic local job market. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that COTAs in Shoreview have various earning potentials depending on experience, setting, and client care needs. A significant factor affecting the earning power of occupational therapy assistants in the area is the opportunity provided by the COTA-to-MOT bridge to enhance qualifications and potentially increase lifetime earnings.
About the Shoreview Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,074 | $24.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,367 | $28.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,359 | $33.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,271 | $35.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,192 | $39.52 |
Median Salary Position
6.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shoreview
In Shoreview, MN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,118 (2026 est.). At $69,359, the local median is 6.69% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shoreview: You'd be above the median
How Shoreview Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Shoreview median: $69,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shoreview Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $73,240 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -6.69% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shoreview, MN earn a median of $69,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.30% below the Minnesota state average of $73,240.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shoreview 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.
Shoreview, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $69,359 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,415 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,395
2025 BLS Actual
$67,463
2026 Current Est.
$69,359
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shoreview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,395 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,729 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,952 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,527 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,584 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,463 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,308 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shoreview metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $57,395 (2019) to $67,463 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,308 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,913 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shoreview 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) | $51,074 – $58,367 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,367 – $69,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,359 – $74,271 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,271 – $82,192 |
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 Shoreview
Analyzing the local market, Shoreview currently employs six occupational therapy assistants, which creates a tightly knit community of professionals. The cost of living index in Shoreview stands at 98.5, suggesting a relatively affordable living situation that can enhance overall purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer higher salaries, though pay disparities arise due to various factors such as productivity expectations and contract types. For instance, positions in hospital settings may provide premiums for weekend or PRN work, while school-year contracts can be less lucrative due to shorter work durations. Given the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on occupational therapy assistant pay in Shoreview, focusing on roles with a stronger salary structure and seeking ongoing professional development will be crucial strategies for maximizing earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Shoreview, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $67,463 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Shoreview 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 Shoreview 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