Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Apple Valley, MN: $34.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Apple Valley, MN runs $34.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,986 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Apple Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,598 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apple Valley, Minnesota, the projected median hourly pay for an occupational therapy assistant sits at $34.13, which is slightly below the national median of $35.74. This wage reflects the diverse settings where COTAs are employed, including skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehabilitation units, schools, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. For those working part-time—such as three days a week—this hourly rate could enable them to earn around $2,344 monthly based on a standard 24-hour workweek. For per-diem occupational therapy assistants, the pay often fluctuates significantly; they can expect to earn within an hourly range from entry-level rates at approximately $24.66 up to $41.79 for top earners depending on experience and location, highlighting the potential for varied remuneration within the profession.
About the Apple Valley 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) | $24.66 | $197.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.15 | $233.17 |
| Median (P50) | $34.13 | $273.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.02 | $304.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.79 | $334.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Apple Valley
Based on $34.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.13/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Apple Valley, MN can expect to earn approximately $70,996 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,960. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Apple Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Apple Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,365.32 | $5,916 | $70,996 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $819.19 | $3,550 | $42,598 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $546.13 | $2,367 | $28,399 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Apple Valley) | $34.13 |
| 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 Apple Valley, MN earn a median of $70,986 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.50% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.00% below the Minnesota state average of $73,182.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.13/hr = $42,598/year (purchasing power: $43,247).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,996/year (purchasing power: $72,078).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Apple Valley grew 17.5% from $28.25/hr (2019) to $33.20/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.09/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 Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley
Shifting to a closer examination of earning potential, part-time occupational therapy assistants in Apple Valley can expect to bring in roughly $28,128 annually, considerably less than full-time colleagues. Per diem compensation rates typically range from $30 to $45 per hour, while travel contract positions provide lucrative options, with weekly earnings from $1,100 to $1,700 in some cases. However, these positions often lack benefits, leading many COTAs to weigh the trade-offs of accepting lower hourly rates for positions that offer health insurance and job security. Compensation can also vary based on employer type. For instance, skilled nursing facilities may pay less compared to outpatient clinics that can offer higher rates due to their setting. When negotiating for hourly pay, COTAs should emphasize essential skills and availability, ensuring alignment with the demands of different employers in Apple Valley, MN, while considering the implications of the recent Medicare cuts on potential earnings.
More salary data for Apple Valley, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Apple Valley in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Apple Valley?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Apple Valley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Apple Valley?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Apple Valley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 Apple Valley. 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 Apple Valley 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