2026 Salary — Minnesota
Updated April 29, 2026
Occupational Therapist Salary in Minnesota: $98K Median
Occupational Therapists in Minnesota earn between $71K and $128K per year.
That's +2% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Occupational Therapist salary in Minnesota is $98,297 per year — +2% above the US national median of $96,370. Salaries range from $71,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $127,500 (90th percentile). Minnesota's cost-of-living index is 97. State income tax applies.
Median
$98,297
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$76,500
Experienced
$112,200
Top 10%
$127,500
About Occupational Therapists in Minnesota
Occupational therapists help patients perform daily activities through therapeutic interventions tailored to physical, cognitive, or developmental needs.
Hot 2026 Skills
Telehealth OTPediatric specialtyHand therapy (CHT)Mental health OTGeriatric care
ATS Keywords
OTR/Lpatient evaluationADL trainingpediatric OThand therapysensory integrationsplinting
Occupational Therapist Salary in Minnesota Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $106,007 |
How to Negotiate Your Occupational Therapist Salary in Minnesota
Walk-away anchor: $89,361.
Leverage Points
- Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums
- Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units
- Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually
- Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend
Occupational Therapist Salary FAQ — Minnesota
What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in Minnesota?
The average Occupational Therapist salary in Minnesota is $98,297 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $71,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $127,500 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Occupational Therapist pay in Minnesota compare to the US average?
Occupational Therapists in Minnesota earn approximately 2% more than the US national median ($96,370 nationally vs $98,297 in Minnesota). Minnesota's cost-of-living index of 97 is close to the national average.
Did Occupational Therapist salaries in Minnesota increase in 2026?
Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in Minnesota grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,893 in 2025 to $98,297 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty demand.
Which Minnesota cities pay Occupational Therapists the most?
Top-paying Minnesota metros for Occupational Therapists: Minneapolis ($106K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Occupational Therapists in Minnesota?
OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. Minnesota's top industries include Healthcare (UnitedHealth, Mayo), Retail (Target, Best Buy), Finance, and the state's unemployment rate is 3% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Minnesota have state income tax?
Yes, Minnesota has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $98,297, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Occupational Therapists in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth OT, Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT), Mental health OT, Geriatric care. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Minnesota employers.
How can I increase my Occupational Therapist salary in Minnesota?
Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%). Walk-away anchor for Minnesota: $89,361.
Methodology
Minnesota Occupational Therapist salary is the BLS national median ($96,370) adjusted by Minnesota's state multiplier (1.02×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Occupational Therapist Salary in Other States
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