The average salary for an occupational therapist in the United States is around $84,077 per year.
Avg Salary
Occupational therapists earn an average yearly salary of $84,077.
Wages typically start from $56,217 and go up to $125,746.
33% above national average Updated in 2019
Occupational therapist earnings by seniority
Top-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:
$60.45 per hour
$125,746 per year
Senior-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:
$49.96 per hour
$103,917 per year
Mid-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:
$40.42 per hour
$84,077 per year
Junior-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:
$32.70 per hour
$68,026 per year
Starting level occupational therapist earnings begin at:
$27.03 per hour
$56,217 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Occupational therapist salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $97,260 |
| New Jersey | $95,090 |
| Nevada | $94,300 |
| Virginia | $92,110 |
| District of Columbia | $91,950 |
| Maryland | $90,790 |
| Oregon | $90,570 |
| Connecticut | $89,810 |
| Arizona | $88,606 |
| Massachusetts | $87,940 |
| Texas | $87,780 |
| Alaska | $87,440 |
| Colorado | $86,740 |
| Hawaii | $85,940 |
| Delaware | $84,890 |
| Florida | $84,870 |
| North Carolina | $84,700 |
| Utah | $84,680 |
| Louisiana | $84,650 |
| Tennessee | $84,600 |
| Ohio | $84,320 |
| Oklahoma | $83,590 |
| New York | $83,530 |
| Alabama | $83,320 |
| Georgia | $82,880 |
| Idaho | $82,350 |
| Mississippi | $80,520 |
| Illinois | $80,365 |
| New Hampshire | $80,360 |
| Washington | $80,300 |
| Rhode Island | $79,730 |
| West Virginia | $79,690 |
| New Mexico | $79,590 |
| Kansas | $79,530 |
| South Carolina | $79,460 |
| Wyoming | $79,290 |
| Arkansas | $78,730 |
| Kentucky | $78,720 |
| Iowa | $78,510 |
| Indiana | $78,252 |
| Vermont | $77,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,802 |
| Missouri | $76,560 |
| Nebraska | $76,170 |
| Michigan | $74,750 |
| Wisconsin | $74,180 |
| Minnesota | $73,760 |
| Montana | $72,820 |
| Maine | $68,920 |
| South Dakota | $68,200 |
| North Dakota | $67,020 |
| Puerto Rico | $35,170 |
How much does an Occupational Therapist earn?
Demand for occupational therapy services is related to the ability of patients to pay, either directly or through health insurance. The number of individuals who have access to occupational therapy services may increase because of federal health insurance reform. Both rehabilitation and habilitation services are listed among the essential health benefits that insurers will need to cover once reforms are implemented.
In May 2012, the median annual wages for occupational therapists in the top five industries in which these therapists worked were as follows:
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) - $83,430
Home health care services - $82,310
Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists - $77,430
Hospitals; state, local, and private - $75,140
Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private - $66,610
The median annual salary for occupational therapists was $78,810 in 2014, according to the BLS. The best-paid 10 percent in the profession made $112,950, while the bottom 10 percent made $65,020. Occupational therapists that work for scientific research and development services are generally compensated very well, as are the therapists that work in the metropolitan areas of Las Vegas; Beaumont, Texas; and Daytona Beach, Florida.
How do occupational therapist salaries compare to similar careers?
Occupational therapists earn 6% less than similar careers in the United States. On average, they make less than health services managers but more than genetic counselors.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Health services manager salary | $100K |
| Nurse practitioner salary | $105K |
| Neuropsychologist salary | $102K |
| Biomedical engineer salary | $88K |
| Radiation therapist salary | $86K |
| Occupational therapist salary | $84K |
| Speech language pathologist salary | $82K |
| Clinical psychologist salary | $78K |
| Counseling psychologist salary | $78K |
| Genetic counselor salary | $82K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)