📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Occupational Therapists Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$101,280
per year
Median
$100,330
per year
Hourly
$48.69
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$74,703
25th Percentile — Junior$86,755
50th Percentile — Median$100,330
75th Percentile — Senior$113,872
90th Percentile — Top Earners$121,394
💡 The top 10% of Occupational Therapistss earn $121,394 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $74,703, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$82.4k
2021
$85.9k
2022
$89.5k
2023
$93.3k
2024
$97.2k
2025
$101.3k
2026
📈 Occupational Therapists salaries have grown 4.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $18,831.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $156,984 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $153,946 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $143,818 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $139,766 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $133,690 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $131,664 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $129,638 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $126,600 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $123,562 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $116,472 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $116,472 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $115,459 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $113,434 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $111,408 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $111,408 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $109,382 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $106,344 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $106,344 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $103,306 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $103,306 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $101,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $101,280 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $100,267 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $100,267 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $99,254 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $96,216 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $96,216 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $94,190 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $94,190 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $94,190 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $93,178 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $93,178 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $92,165 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $91,152 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $89,126 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $89,126 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $89,126 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $89,126 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $89,126 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $89,126 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $88,114 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $88,114 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $88,114 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $87,101 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $86,088 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $86,088 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $85,075 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $84,062 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $84,062 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $81,024 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $78,998 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Occupational Therapists Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Occupational Therapists's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Occupational Therapistss typically earn $74,703–$86,755 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $113,872–$121,394 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Occupational Therapists role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 4.2% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Healthcare sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Occupational Therapists?The average salary for a Occupational Therapists in the United States is $101,280 per year, with a median of $100,330.
-
What is the starting salary for a Occupational Therapists?Entry-level Occupational Therapistss typically earn between $74,703 and $86,755 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Occupational Therapistss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Occupational Therapistss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Occupational Therapists make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $101,280, a Occupational Therapists earns approximately $48.69 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Occupational Therapists a good career in 2026?Yes — the Occupational Therapists role has medium demand with 4.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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