OT Assistant Salary

Duluth vs Eagan: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Duluth, MN and Eagan, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$73,839
$35.50/hr
Eagan, MN
$71,763
$34.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNEagan, MN
Median Salary$73,839$71,763
Hourly Rate$35.50$34.50
Entry Level (P10)$49,954$53,096
25th Percentile$64,927$62,206
75th Percentile$79,580$79,182
Top Earner (P90)$89,039$89,602
Total Employed1513
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($73,839) and Eagan ($71,763) occupational therapy assistant salaries.DuluthEaganMedian Salary$73,839$71,763Entry Level (P10)$49,954$53,096Top Earner (P90)$89,039$89,602US Median $74,332

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Eagan.

The salary gap between Duluth and Eagan is $2,076 (2.89%). Duluth's median is -0.66% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $39,085,Eagan spans $36,506. Duluth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$49,954
P25$64,927
Median$73,839
P75$79,580
P90 (Top)$89,039
Eagan
P10 (Entry)$53,096
P25$62,206
Median$71,763
P75$79,182
P90 (Top)$89,602

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($74,963 effective) pays 2.89% more than Eagan ($72,856 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $73,839
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $74,963
Eagan
Nominal: $71,763
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $72,856

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($73,839/year)
  • Larger job market (15 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,963)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Eagan if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,602)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Duluth grew 31.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 9.5% growth in Eagan over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+31.5%

$54,630 (2020) → $71,821 (2025)

Eagan, MN

+9.5%

$63,719 (2024) → $69,802 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Duluth or Eagan?

Duluth has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $73,839/year, compared to Eagan at $71,763/year — a difference of $2,076 (2.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Eagan?

Duluth occupational therapy assistants earn $35.50/hr while Eagan hygienists earn $34.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Eagan as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Eagan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $74,963, Eagan = $72,856), job availability (15 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Duluth vs Eagan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $49,954 in Duluth and $53,096 in Eagan. The Eagan 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