Occupational therapist earnings by seniority

90th percentile

Top-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$49.15 per hour

$102,230 per year

75th percentile

Senior-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$44.70 per hour

$92,990 per year

50th percentile

Mid-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$38.24 per hour

$79,530 per year

25th percentile

Junior-level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$31.86 per hour

$66,270 per year

10th percentile

Starting level occupational therapist earnings begin at:

$25.18 per hour

$52,370 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 7% less than similar careers in Kansas. On average, they make less than neuropsychologists but more than orthotists and prosthetists.

Career Median Salary
Neuropsychologist salary $102K
Nurse practitioner salary $97K
Health services manager salary $86K
Physical therapist salary $87K
Nuclear medicine technologist salary $76K
Occupational therapist salary $80K
Informatics nurse specialist salary $73K
Audiologist salary $68K
Biomedical engineer salary $75K
Orthotist and prosthetist salary $71K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)