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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Occupational Therapist (OT) in California is $118,930 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, an Occupational Therapist (OT)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Occupational Therapist (OT) Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $128,920 | $10,743 | $2,479 | $62 |
| Average | $118,930 | $9,911 | $2,287 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,700 | $9,142 | $2,110 | $53 |
BrightSpring Health Services - Santa Barbara, CA
Light Street Special Education Solutions - Fresno, CA
EmpowerMe Wellness - Chico, CA
BrightSpring Health Services - Murrieta, CA
An Occupational Therapist (OT)'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Occupational Therapist (OT)'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 Occupational Therapist (OT) | $115,894 |
| Intermediate Level Occupational Therapist (OT) | $116,170 |
| Senior Level Occupational Therapist (OT) | $119,671 |
| Specialist Level Occupational Therapist (OT) | $123,847 |
| Expert Level Occupational Therapist (OT) | $124,146 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Occupational Therapist (OT)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Occupational Therapist (OT) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $126,809. While startup companies pay approximate $107,881.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $107,881 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $113,939 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $122,613 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $126,809 |
For Occupational Therapist (OT) roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Occupational Therapist (OT) positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Occupational Therapist (OT) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $142,716 | $69.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Occupational Therapist (OT)'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 | $128,920 | $10,743 | $2,479 | $62 |
| Average | $118,930 | $9,911 | $2,287 | $57 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,700 | $9,142 | $2,110 | $53 |
For an Occupational Therapist (OT), 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 $140,620 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Occupational Therapist (OT) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
BrightSpring Health Services
Santa Cruz, CA
BrightSpring Health Services | Santa Cruz, CA
Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilitation. Make an Impact in Our Home and Community Program. Who We Are Looking For. An experienced OT, enthusiastic about p... more
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BrightSpring Health Services
Temecula, CA
BrightSpring Health Services | Temecula, CA
Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilitation. Make an Impact in our Home and Community Program. Who we are looking for. An experienced OT, enthusiastic about p... more
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BrightSpring Health Services
Oakland, CA
BrightSpring Health Services | Oakland, CA
Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilitation. Make an Impact in our Home and Community Program. Who we are looking for. An experienced OT, enthusiastic about p... more
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BrightSpring Health Services
Roseville, CA
BrightSpring Health Services | Roseville, CA
Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilitation. Make an Impact in our Home and Community Program. Who we are looking for. An experienced OT, enthusiastic about p... more
8 Days Ago
BrightSpring Health Services
Irvine, CA
BrightSpring Health Services | Irvine, CA
Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilitation. Make an Impact in our Home and Community Program. Who we are looking for. An experienced OT, enthusiastic about p... more
8 Days Ago
BrightSpring Health Services
Camarillo, CA
BrightSpring Health Services | Camarillo, CA
Rehab Without Walls Neuro RehabilitationFocus on home and community reintegration that's where healing truly begins. At Rehab Without Walls Neuro Rehabilit... more
9 Days Ago
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