Occupational Therapy Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Occupational Therapy Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Occupational Therapy Manager in the United States is $127,481 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.

However, an Occupational Therapy Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $147,871
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,304 to $138,154
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $108,038

Key Factors That Influence Occupational Therapy Manager Salaries

An Occupational Therapy Manager'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.

How Experience Level Affects Occupational Therapy Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Occupational Therapy Manager'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $121,253
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $122,165
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $123,684
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $125,203
  • Expert (over 8 years): $127,800
Levels Salary
Entry Level Occupational Therapy Manager$121,253
Intermediate Level Occupational Therapy Manager$122,165
Senior Level Occupational Therapy Manager$123,684
Specialist Level Occupational Therapy Manager$125,203
Expert Level Occupational Therapy Manager$127,800

Top Paying Cities for Occupational Therapy Manager

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:

  • San Jose: $160,792
  • San Francisco: $159,031
  • Oakland: $155,680

What Skills Can Increase an Occupational Therapy Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Confidentiality (Mentioned in 5.55% Job Postings): The process of and obligation to apply and enforce rules and practices that ensure that specific types of information are accessible only to those authorized to use it.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 3.22% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
  • Rehabilitation Services (Mentioned in 1.97% Job Postings): Rehabilitation services is a special healthcare service that help a person regain physical, mental, and/or cognitive (thinking and learning) abilities that have been lost or impaired as a result of disease, injury, or treatment.
Skills Demand Percentage
Confidentiality 5.55%
Patient Care 3.22%
Rehabilitation Services 1.97%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

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 an Occupational Therapy Manager's salary.

  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Teamwork $135,130
6%
Analysis $133,855
5%
Collaboration $133,855
5%

Occupational Therapy Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Occupational Therapy Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,222. While startup companies pay approximate $115,228.

Occupational Therapy Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $115,228
Growth Stage 51~500 $121,639
Established 501~5000 $130,800
Enterprise 5000+ $135,222

Occupational Therapy Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Occupational Therapy Manager 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 Therapy Manager positions in Edu., Government & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Occupational Therapy Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Occupational Therapy Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$152,977$74.020%

How Education impacts an Occupational Therapy Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Occupational Therapy Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Therapy Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $131,390 and $139,524.

Occupational Therapy Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Occupational Therapy Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 1.1%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 33.0%
Masters 52.3%
Doctorate 9.1%

Occupational Therapy Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Occupational Therapy Manager'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 August 01, 2026
$117,304
Average $127,481/year
$138,154
$9,775
Average $10,623/month
$11,513
$2,256
Average $2,452/week
$2,657
$56
Average $61/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $138,154 $11,513 $2,657 $66
Average $127,481 $10,623 $2,452 $61
25th Percentile $117,304 $9,775 $2,256 $56

Most common benefits for Occupational Therapy Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Occupational Therapy Manager

Here are companies hiring for Occupational Therapy Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Occupational Therapy Manager

1. Where can an Occupational Therapy Manager earn the most?

An Occupational Therapy Manager'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 Therapy Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Occupational Therapy Manager is $160,792.

2. What is the highest pay for Occupational Therapy Manager?

The highest pay for Occupational Therapy Manager is $147,871.

3. What is the lowest pay for Occupational Therapy Manager?

The lowest pay for Occupational Therapy Manager is $108,038.

4. What are the responsibilities of Occupational Therapy Manager?

Manages the programs and staff of an occupational therapy unit to help patients develop, regain, or maintain their ability to perform daily activities. Sets and implements guidelines to promote effective occupational therapy programs and ensure practices meet industry standards and comply with regulatory requirements. Tracks and monitors patient progress to evaluate treatment plans and service effectiveness. Recruits, hires, and trains staff to provide optimal service in alignment with the organization's goals and standards. Remains knowledgeable of industry developments and trends and recommends improvements to equipment, processes, or practices to expand or improve offerings. May require an advanced degree. May Require Occupational Therapist License and Registration (OTR/L). Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Occupational Therapy Manager?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Occupational Therapy Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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