How much does a occupational therapist make?
The median occupational therapist in the United States earns $100,330 per year, about $48.24 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all occupational therapists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1122.
Occupational therapist salary range
Pay for occupational therapists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $71,690 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $131,950. The average (mean) wage of $101,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $71,690 | $34.47 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $82,510 | $39.67 | |
| Median (50th) | $100,330 | $48.24 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $116,670 | $56.09 | |
| 90th percentile | $131,950 | $63.44 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Occupational therapist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Occupational therapists earn the most in California at $124,510 a year, and the least in North Dakota at $83,200. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,510 | 13,810 |
| Oregon | $112,310 | 1,170 |
| Nevada | $110,520 | 1,080 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 | 540 |
| Washington | $107,670 | 3,340 |
| Maryland | $106,980 | 2,390 |
| Colorado | $106,720 | 3,390 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 | 2,160 |
| Texas | $106,140 | 13,400 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 | 1,180 |
| Georgia | $104,010 | 3,650 |
| Alaska | $103,680 | 410 |
| Arizona | $103,660 | 2,680 |
| New Jersey | $103,410 | 6,290 |
| Hawaii | $102,870 | 390 |
| Connecticut | $102,440 | 3,150 |
| Delaware | $102,130 | 490 |
| South Carolina | $101,130 | 1,840 |
| Massachusetts | $100,930 | 6,510 |
| Virginia | $100,710 | 4,150 |
| Rhode Island | $100,040 | 770 |
| Illinois | $99,700 | 7,710 |
| Ohio | $99,390 | 6,760 |
| Florida | $99,360 | 10,650 |
| Kansas | $99,170 | 1,560 |
| New Mexico | $99,170 | 1,030 |
| Louisiana | $98,490 | 2,060 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,440 | 6,560 |
| Idaho | $97,760 | 840 |
| Tennessee | $97,700 | 2,490 |
| Kentucky | $97,650 | 2,190 |
| Missouri | $97,290 | 3,400 |
| Utah | $97,150 | 1,030 |
| Indiana | $97,020 | 3,830 |
| New York | $96,390 | 11,690 |
| West Virginia | $96,190 | 700 |
| Mississippi | $94,930 | 1,340 |
| Alabama | $94,050 | 1,500 |
| Nebraska | $93,740 | 1,500 |
| Vermont | $93,340 | 320 |
| Minnesota | $93,050 | 3,670 |
| North Carolina | $92,940 | 4,490 |
| Wisconsin | $92,390 | 3,710 |
| Iowa | $89,910 | 1,290 |
| Michigan | $89,910 | 5,120 |
| Montana | $88,990 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $86,170 | 350 |
| South Dakota | $85,050 | 490 |
| Maine | $84,310 | 1,120 |
| New Hampshire | $83,900 | 1,240 |
| North Dakota | $83,200 | 570 |
State median wages for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for occupational therapists
The BLS projects employment of occupational therapists to grow 14.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 169,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 194,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,000 openings a year for occupational therapists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an occupational therapist
The typical entry-level education for occupational therapists is a master's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an occupational therapist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $124,510) and the lowest (North Dakota, $83,200) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 162,450 people work as occupational therapists in the United States. At $100,330 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Occupational therapist salary FAQ
How much does an occupational therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an occupational therapist is $48.24. The middle half of occupational therapists earn between $39.67 and $56.09 per hour.
What is the highest occupational therapist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of occupational therapists earn more than $131,950 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an occupational therapist make a year?
The median annual salary for an occupational therapist is $100,330. The average (mean) wage of $101,280 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an occupational therapist a well paid job?
At $100,330 a year, an occupational therapist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 162,450 people work as occupational therapists in the United States.
Which state pays occupational therapists the most?
California has the highest median salary for occupational therapists at $124,510 a year. Oregon ($112,310) and Nevada ($110,520) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an occupational therapist a good career?
Employment of occupational therapists is projected to grow 14.8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an occupational therapist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for occupational therapists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Healthcare salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.