As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Occupational Therapist in the United States is $107,802 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, an Occupational Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An 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 an 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 Occupational Therapist | $105,053 |
| Intermediate Level Occupational Therapist | $105,303 |
| Senior Level Occupational Therapist | $108,477 |
| Specialist Level Occupational Therapist | $112,259 |
| Expert Level Occupational Therapist | $112,529 |
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 Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 9.81% |
| Medical Records Audit | 2.93% |
| Clinical Supervision | 2.33% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Medical Records Audit
|
$115,348 |
7%
|
|
Organizational Skills
|
$112,114 |
4%
|
|
Commitment
|
$109,958 |
2%
|
|
Dedication
|
$109,958 |
2%
|
|
Clinical Leadership
|
$109,958 |
2%
|
|
Written Communication
|
$109,958 |
2%
|
Occupational Therapist salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,091. While startup companies pay approximate $97,855.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $97,855 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $103,360 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $111,285 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $115,091 |
For Occupational Therapist 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 positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Occupational Therapist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $129,362 | $62.0 | 20% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 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 an Occupational Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $96,426 and $101,848).
Occupational Therapist Salaries by Degree Level
| 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 an 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.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026For an Occupational Therapist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Occupational Therapy Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $127,457 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for an 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 Occupational Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $112,260 |
| 2024 | $113,619 |
| 2025 | $111,827 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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An Occupational Therapist's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Occupational Therapist earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Occupational Therapist is $135,971.
The highest pay for Occupational Therapist is $125,090.
The lowest pay for Occupational Therapist is $91,808.
Plans and conducts individualized occupational therapy programs to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Conducts baseline tests, assessments, and interviews to gather information on daily environment and barriers, evaluate abilities, and understand needs and goals. Maintains accurate patient records including treatment plans, progress, and outcomes and prepares and delivers reports for other healthcare professionals or insurance providers. Recommends adaptive equipment for participating in activities and teaches patients skills and techniques for use. May require a master's degree. Requires Occupational Therapist License and Registration (OTR/L). Typically reports to a manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Occupational Therapist roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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