Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Shakopee, MN: $70,915 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Shakopee, MN earns a median $70,915/year (≈ $34.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Shakopee's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $71,995 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Shakopee are projected to earn a median annual salary of $70,915. The salary range extends from $54,784 at the 10th percentile to $82,684 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive local job market. These figures are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, emphasizing the potential for salary growth when considering pathways such as transitioning from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT). Given that Shakopee's economic conditions offer a cost of living index of 98.5, professionals in this field can expect their earnings to stretch further compared to areas with higher living costs.
About the Shakopee Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,784 | $26.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,147 | $30.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,915 | $34.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,113 | $36.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,684 | $39.76 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shakopee
In Shakopee, MN, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,900 (2026 est.). At $70,915, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Shakopee: You'd be above the median
How Shakopee Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Shakopee median: $70,915/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shakopee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $73,184 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -4.60% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shakopee, MN earn a median of $70,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.10% below the Minnesota state average of $73,184.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shakopee 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.
Shakopee, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $70,915 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,995 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,683
2025 BLS Actual
$68,977
2026 Current Est.
$70,915
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shakopee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,047 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,893 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,297 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,966 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,915 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,908 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shakopee metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $58,683 (2019) to $68,977 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,908 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,225 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shakopee 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) | $54,784 – $63,147 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,147 – $70,915 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,915 – $75,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,113 – $82,684 |
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 Shakopee
In Shakopee, the job market for occupational therapy assistants remains structured yet competitive, with approximately 11 professionals currently employed in the area. This number illustrates a stable demand for these healthcare roles while also defining the landscape of occupational therapy assistant pay in Shakopee, MN. Despite earnings closely trailing the national median, the lower cost of living allows for enhanced purchasing power. Employers that generally offer the best pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings, where salaries tend to be more robust due to the increased productivity expectations associated with these environments. Factors such as weekend and PRN premiums, school-year versus year-round contracts, and the impact of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut play significant roles in determining pay discrepancies. To maximize earnings in this local market, continuous professional development, networking, and exploring diverse employment settings can be advantageous strategies for current COTAs and those considering further professional advancement.
More salary data for Shakopee, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Shakopee?
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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 $68,977 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Shakopee 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 Shakopee 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