So, how much do occupational therapists make? The median OT salary is $100,330 a year, or roughly $48.24 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And the outlook for the profession is strong, with OT employment projected to grow 15% from 2025 to 2035.
But there’s more to the salary story than that national number. Where you work can make a big difference between what you earn—and how far that salary goes. An occupational therapist making $105,000 in one state might have a very different cost of living and take-home experience than an OT earning the same amount somewhere else.
This guide breaks down OT salary by state, compares hourly and annual wages, looks at the highest- and lowest-paying states, and explores how practice setting can affect earning potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Occupational Therapists, occupational therapists had a mean annual wage of $100,330, or $48.24 per hour
The lowest 10% earned less than $71,690, while the highest 10% earned more than $131,950.
These numbers are useful benchmarks when evaluating an offer, but location can make a major difference.
The following table uses the latest data from the BLS, with the state figures compiled from the state-level data provided for this guide. Annual wages represent full-time annualized wages.
| State | Yearly Median | Hourly Median |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Alaska | $103,680 | $49.85 |
| Arizona | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| California | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Colorado | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Connecticut | $102,440 | $49.25 |
| Delaware | $102,130 | $49.10 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| Florida | $99,360 | $47.77 |
| Georgia | $104,010 | $50.01 |
| Hawaii | $102,870 | $49.46 |
| Idaho | $97,760 | $47.00 |
| Illinois | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Indiana | $97,020 | $46.65 |
| Iowa | $89,910 | $43.22 |
| Kansas | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Kentucky | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Louisiana | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Maine | $84,310 | $40.53 |
| Maryland | $106,980 | $51.43 |
| Massachusetts | $100,930 | $48.53 |
| Michigan | $89,910 | $43.23 |
| Minnesota | $93,050 | $44.74 |
| Mississippi | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Missouri | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Montana | $88,990 | $42.79 |
| Nebraska | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Nevada | $110,520 | $53.13 |
| New Hampshire | $83,900 | $40.34 |
| New Jersey | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| New Mexico | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| New York | $96,390 | $46.34 |
| North Carolina | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| North Dakota | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| Ohio | $99,390 | $47.78 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| Oregon | $112,310 | $54.00 |
| Pennsylvania | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Rhode Island | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| South Carolina | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| South Dakota | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Tennessee | $97,700 | $46.97 |
| Texas | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Utah | $97,150 | $46.71 |
| Vermont | $93,340 | $44.87 |
| Virginia | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Washington | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| West Virginia | $96,190 | $46.25 |
| Wisconsin | $92,390 | $44.42 |
| Wyoming | $86,170 | $41.43 |
Based on the state salary data above, the highest-paying states for occupational therapists are:
California stands out, with an average salary of $124,510—more than $20,000 above the national average reported for occupational therapists.
According to the salary data in this guide, these states have the lowest reported average annual salaries for occupational therapists:
51. North Dakota: $83,200
50. New Hampshire: $83,900
49. Maine: $84,310
48. South Dakota: $85,050
47. Wyoming: $86,170
What this means for OTs: The lowest-paying states can still offer worthwhile career opportunities. If you’re comparing states for an Occupational Therapy career, don’t look at salary alone.
Consider how pay compares with housing costs and other living expenses, along with benefits, job demand, commute times, and opportunities in specific cities or rural communities. A lower average salary may go further in a state with a lower cost of living.
Location is only one part of the compensation equation. The setting where an occupational therapist works can also influence salary, schedule, patient population, and opportunities for advancement.
According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) — Practice Settings, occupational therapists work across hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, schools, early intervention, home and community settings, mental and behavioral health, and other environments.
| Practice Setting | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Home Healthcare Services | $106,300 |
| Skilled Nursing Facilities | $105,850 |
| Hospitals | $102,820 |
| Outpatient Clinics | $94,375 |
| Schools | $87,300 |
These figures represent industry-level median wages, not guaranteed salaries for every Occupational Therapists working in that setting.
Home health can provide a different combination of compensation and independence. Therapists travel to patients’ homes and may help clients adapt to their environments, improve daily living skills, and maintain independence.
BLS reported a $106,300 median annual wage for occupational therapists in home healthcare services.
The setting may appeal to Occupational Therapists who prefer more autonomy and one-on-one patient interactions.
Skilled nursing can be an appealing option for therapists interested in working with older adults and patients recovering from illness, injury, or hospitalization. The BLS reported an average of $105,850 annual for OTs in nursing care facilities.
The AOTA — Skilled Nursing Facilities also highlights the role OTs play as part of multidisciplinary teams in these environments.
Hospital-based OTs often work with patients recovering from surgery, stroke, neurological conditions, injuries, and other acute or complex conditions. The median annual salary is around $102,820 for OTs working in hospitals.
Hospital positions can also offer strong benefits and opportunities to develop specialized clinical skills.
Outpatient therapists on average earn $94,375 in the US, they may work with patients managing orthopedic conditions, neurological disorders, injuries, chronic conditions, or other functional limitations.
Schedules can vary considerably by employer, making outpatient care attractive to therapists who want a particular combination of clinical work and routine.
School-based occupational therapy is another major career path, particularly for therapists interested in working with children and supporting participation in educational activities. The average salary for school-based OTs in the US is around $87,300.
The AOTA — Schools, Early Intervention and Community Education notes that OTs work with children and students to support development, learning, and participation.
Salary may not always be the highest compared with healthcare settings, but school-based roles can offer advantages such as predictable schedules, school calendars, and a strong focus on pediatric care.
Two occupational therapists with similar education and experience can earn very different salaries because compensation is influenced by several factors.
Location: States and metropolitan areas have different labor markets and costs of living.
Practice setting: Hospitals, home health, skilled nursing, outpatient clinics, and schools have different compensation structures and operational demands.
Experience: Therapists with several years of clinical experience may have more leverage when negotiating salary or pursuing senior positions.
Specialization: Additional expertise in areas such as pediatrics, neurological rehabilitation, hand therapy, mental health, or geriatrics can help therapists qualify for specialized positions.
Schedule: Evening, weekend, per diem, or other nontraditional schedules may come with different compensation structures.
Employer: Compensation can differ between hospitals, private practices, healthcare systems, school districts, rehabilitation companies, and other employers.
The outlook for occupational therapists remains strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 15% employment growth from 2025 to 2035.
The demand is connected in part to the aging population and the continued need for rehabilitation and support for people with disabilities, injuries, chronic conditions, and developmental disorders.
Knowing the salary range for occupational therapists in your state can help you enter your job search with realistic expectations. But salary data is most useful when you use it as a benchmark, not a final answer.
As you compare OT opportunities, consider the entire package: salary, benefits, schedule, caseload, productivity requirements, commute, continuing education, and opportunities to advance.
If you’re open to relocating, compare potential earnings with the cost of living in each area. Two jobs with similar salaries can provide very different experiences depending on housing and other everyday expenses.
The goal isn’t simply to find the highest salary. It’s to understand your market value and find an opportunity where the compensation, work environment, and career opportunities make sense for you.
TAG MedStaffing connects occupational therapists with leading employers across the US.
Search Occupational Therapist JobsOccupational therapists earn on average $100,330 yearly according to the BLS. Actual compensation can vary based on location, experience, practice setting, employer, and specialization.
California had the highest mean annual wage for occupational therapists at $124,510 per year. According to BLS.
Yes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 15% employment growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Yes. State and metropolitan labor markets can produce significant differences in wages, while cost of living can affect how far that salary goes.
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