As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Occupational Therapist in the United States is $107,900 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, a Certified Occupational Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Certified Occupational Therapist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $117,000 | $9,750 | $2,250 | $56 |
| Average | $107,900 | $8,992 | $2,075 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,500 | $8,292 | $1,913 | $48 |
A Certified Occupational Therapist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Certified Occupational Therapist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Certified Occupational Therapist | $105,142 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Occupational Therapist | $105,393 |
| Senior Level Certified Occupational Therapist | $108,579 |
| Specialist Level Certified Occupational Therapist | $112,382 |
| Expert Level Certified Occupational Therapist | $112,654 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 9.81% |
| Medical Records Audit | 2.93% |
| Clinical Supervision | 2.33% |
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Certified Occupational Therapist's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Records Audit | $115,453 | |
| Organizational Skills | $112,216 | |
| Commitment | $110,058 |
Certified Occupational Therapist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $114,999. While startup companies pay approximate $97,857.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $97,857 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $103,355 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $111,165 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $114,999 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Certified Occupational Therapists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Certified Occupational Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $96,012 and $101,412).
| Typical Education for Certified Occupational Therapist | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.1% |
| High School | 0.6% |
| Associates | 4.2% |
| Bachelors | 25.5% |
| Masters | 67.1% |
| Doctorate | 2.5% |
Understanding how a Certified Occupational Therapist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $117,000 | $9,750 | $2,250 | $56 |
| Average | $107,900 | $8,992 | $2,075 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $99,500 | $8,292 | $1,913 | $48 |
For a Certified Occupational Therapist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Occupational Therapy Department Leader role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $127,530 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for a Certified Occupational Therapist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $112,260 in 2023 to around $111,827 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Certified Occupational Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $112,260 |
| 2024 | $113,619 |
| 2025 | $111,827 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Certified Occupational Therapist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest-paid Certified Occupational Therapists typically work in home healthcare services, earning around $104,790 annually. Other lucrative settings include skilled nursing facilities at approximately $101,520 and hospitals at about $99,570. Overall, salaries range from a minimum of $91,500 to a maximum of $112,000, with a median salary of $101,000.
Successful completion of a master's degree in occupational therapy or a professional doctorate in occupational therapy (e.g., OTD) is required to enter practice as an occupational therapist in the United States. The salary for certified occupational therapists ranges from a minimum of $91,500 to a maximum of $112,000, with a mid-salary of $101,000.
To make six figures as an occupational therapist, consider travel therapy, which typically offers salaries above $101,000. Standard therapy jobs with per diem options can also boost earnings. Home health contracting, starting your own business, or exploring ergonomics and health tech roles can further increase your income. The salary range for certified occupational therapists is between $91,500 and $112,000.
The USA offers the highest salaries for occupational therapists, with a range from $91,500 to $112,000, and a mid-salary of $101,000. Other countries like Germany, Canada, the UK, France, and Australia also provide competitive salaries, but none match the earning potential found in the USA.
Most jobs that pay over $200k a year include specialized roles like doctors and lawyers, which require extensive education and training. In contrast, Certified Occupational Therapists earn between $91,500 and $112,000 annually, reflecting the demand and qualifications needed in the healthcare field.
The highest paying occupational therapist (OT) jobs are found in research and development, home health, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). According to salary data, OTs can expect a minimum salary of $91,500, a mid-range salary of $101,000, and a maximum salary of $112,000, reflecting the lucrative opportunities in these fields.
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