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Occupational Therapy Assistant in Minnesota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Minnesota employs 540 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $64,920 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Minnesota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in Minnesota (May 2025)

Minnesota median pay: $64,920 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $56,360
Experienced (75th percentile): $72,820
Top earners (90th percentile): $73,040
Employed in Minnesota: 540
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major Minnesota markets:

Minneapolis: $66,210 (350 employed)
Fargo: $63,660 (30 employed)
Sioux Falls: $56,180 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Minnesota

Prices in Minnesota run about 1% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $64,920 median stretches to roughly $65,842 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Minnesota (2024–2034)

Minnesota is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +17.4%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 100 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Minnesota License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply to the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Official requirements: Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice →

Training in Minnesota

Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Minnesota include:

Alexandria Technical & Community College — Associate
Anoka Technical College — Associate
Anoka-Ramsey Community College — Associate
Central Lakes College-Brainerd — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in Minnesota

Real Minnesota outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

The Therapy Place — Bloomington
Comprehensive Health Clinics — Cambridge
Team Health Care Clinic PC — Champlin
Eh Polinsky Medical Rehab Center — Duluth
Aegis Therapies - Minnesota LLC — Eden Prairie
Capernaum Pediatric Therapy — Edina

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Minnesota?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in Minnesota is $64,920 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $56,360, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $73,040. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Minnesota?

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in Minnesota?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which Minnesota metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among Minnesota metro areas, Minneapolis leads at $66,210, followed by Fargo ($63,660), Sioux Falls ($56,180). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in Minnesota?

Real Minnesota options include Alexandria Technical & Community College, Anoka Technical College, Anoka-Ramsey Community College. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in Minnesota?

Minnesota projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +17.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 100 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Minnesota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Minnesota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Minnesota wages · Minnesota licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.