Average Occupational Therapist Salary: $96,603 (2026)

The average occupational therapist salary across all U.S. metropolitan areas is $96,603 per year as of 2026. This is based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data covering 50 metro areas. Salaries range from $82,958 in El Paso, TX to $130,696 in San Jose, CA.

The average hourly rate for occupational therapists is $46.44 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by location, ranging from $39.88/hour in lower-paying areas to $62.83/hour in top-paying cities like San Jose.

San Jose, CA is the highest paying metro area for occupational therapists, with a median salary of $130,696 per year. This is 35% above the national average of $96,603. Other high-paying areas typically include major tech hubs and cities with high costs of living.

Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) typically earn around $62,850 per year nationally. Starting salaries depend on education, certifications, location, and industry. Most entry-level professionals can expect to reach the median salary of $96,603 within 3-5 years of career growth.

The average occupational therapist salary of $96,603 is 63% higher than the typical U.S. worker salary of approximately $59,228. Top earners in this profession (90th percentile) can make $139,399 or more annually.

El Paso, TX has the lowest occupational therapist salary at $82,958 per year. However, lower salaries often correlate with lower costs of living, which can result in similar purchasing power. The salary difference between the highest and lowest paying areas is $47,738.

There are approximately 7,747 occupational therapists employed across the 50 metropolitan areas tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This represents a specialized job market with opportunities in healthcare industries nationwide.

The biggest factors affecting occupational therapist salary include: geographic location (salaries vary by up to $47,738 across cities), years of experience, industry sector, Specialty certification — CHT certification significantly increases earning potential in hand therapy, Setting — travel OT contracts, home health, and private-pay pediatric practices often pay more than hospital staff OT. Metropolitan areas with high industry demand and cost of living typically pay more.

In-demand skills that boost occupational therapist salaries include: Activity analysis — breaking down and adapting tasks to match a patient's current and target capabilities, Standardized assessment tools (Functional Independence Measure, COPM, Peabody, WeeFIM, MMSE), Orthosis fabrication and fitting for upper extremity conditions, Sensory integration techniques (Ayres Sensory Integration certified practice), Cognitive rehabilitation — attention, memory, and executive function interventions. Specialty certification — CHT certification significantly increases earning potential in hand therapy Developing specialized expertise can help you reach the top 25% of earners ($118,490).

Occupational Therapist salaries have generally kept pace with inflation, with the current average of $96,603 reflecting 2026 Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The job outlook is positive, which typically supports continued salary growth. Professionals who develop in-demand skills and pursue certifications tend to see above-average salary increases.