Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Duluth, MN: $73,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Duluth, MN earns a median $73,839/year (≈ $35.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $74,963 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Duluth, Minnesota, is $73,839 as of 2026, with salary ranges spanning from $49,954 at the 10th percentile to $89,039 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, indicate that occupational therapy assistants in Duluth enjoy competitive compensation slightly below the national average of $74,332. This financial picture can improve significantly for those considering advancing from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master's-level Occupational Therapist (MOT), as employing advanced credentials typically increases lifetime earnings. With the job market in Duluth reflecting steady demand for rehabilitation services, aspiring occupational therapy assistants will find the potential for growth in their careers promising.
About the Duluth Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,954 | $24.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,927 | $31.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,839 | $35.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,580 | $38.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,039 | $42.81 |
Median Salary Position
0.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,085 (2026 est.). At $73,839, the local median is 0.66% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be above the median
How Duluth Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Duluth median: $73,839/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $73,253 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.66% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Duluth, MN earn a median of $73,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% above the Minnesota state average of $73,253.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth 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.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $73,839 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,963 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,102
2025 BLS Actual
$71,821
2026 Current Est.
$73,839
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,102 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,566 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,821 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,102 (2019) to $71,821 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,812 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $49,954 – $64,927 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,927 – $73,839 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,839 – $79,580 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,580 – $89,039 |
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 Duluth
In Duluth, the occupational therapy assistant job market is relatively small, with only 15 COTAs currently employed. The local cost of living index is 98.5, which is below the national average, suggesting that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Employers in settings such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer higher pay rates compared to school districts and outpatient clinics. Factors contributing to the variability of compensation include differing productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services. To maximize earning potential, professionals in Duluth might consider focusing on high-demand areas like home health agencies, pursuing diverse contractual opportunities, or opting for weekend and PRN shifts that frequently come with premium pay rates.
More salary data for Duluth, 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 $71,821 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Duluth 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 Duluth 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