Occupational Therapist Salary

The median annual Occupational Therapist salary in the United States is $98,340, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 release. This midpoint figure means half of the 152,280 Occupational Therapists employed nationwide earn above $98,340 and half earn below. The mean annual wage is $98,240 — slightly above the median, reflecting upward pull from high-paying metropolitan and specialty positions. Entry-level earners (10th percentile) typically start around $67,090, while experienced professionals at the 75th percentile reach $110,460. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1122.

Occupational Therapists earn a mean hourly wage of $47.23, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 survey. This figure represents the average across all Occupational Therapists in all industries and geographic areas in the United States. Hourly rates vary considerably based on employer type, geographic location, shift differentials, and years of experience. Hourly equivalents for salaried roles are calculated against a standard 2,080-hour work year (40 hours per week × 52 weeks); actual compensated hours may differ. For reference, the annual mean salary for Occupational Therapists is $98,240. Part-time workers, per-diem positions, and contract roles may fall above or below this figure depending on the agreed pay structure and premium differentials. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1122.

Entry-level Occupational Therapists — those in the bottom 10% of the wage distribution — typically earn around $67,090 per year, according to BLS OEWS May 2024 data. Workers in the 25th percentile (early-career, typically 1–4 years of experience) earn approximately $80,490 annually. These figures represent all industries and geographic regions nationwide; entry wages in high-cost states such as California, New York, and Massachusetts often run 10–25% above these benchmarks, while rural areas and lower-cost states may pay below them. As credentials, certifications, and clinical or technical experience accumulate, pay scales toward the median of $98,340 and beyond. Entry wage estimates are derived from BLS percentile bands and are labeled as estimates; they are not directly published as entry wages by the BLS. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1122.

The top 10% of Occupational Therapists earn $129,830 or more annually, and the 75th percentile sits at $110,460, according to BLS OEWS May 2024. The highest-paid positions tend to cluster in major metropolitan areas — particularly in California, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington — and in settings that demand advanced credentials, specialized certifications, or leadership responsibilities. Employer type also drives meaningful pay variation: private-sector roles, large hospital systems, and government positions each carry different pay structures. For Occupational Therapists, moving from the median ($98,340) to the 90th percentile often involves a combination of advanced degrees or board certifications, supervisory responsibilities, and tenure at a high-volume or high-acuity facility. The mean salary of $98,240 sits below the 90th percentile, indicating most very-high earners are outliers. Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 29-1122.

Yes, the mean Occupational Therapist salary ($98,240) is $100 below the median ($98,340). When the mean exceeds the median, it signals that a subset of high earners pulls the average upward — a common pattern in occupations with significant pay variation across specialties, employer types, or geographies. The median is generally the more useful benchmark for an individual worker: it represents what a typical Occupational Therapist earns, unaffected by the very highest outlier salaries. Both figures come from the BLS OEWS May 2024 survey, SOC 29-1122.

BLS projects 12% change in Occupational Therapist employment over the next decade — faster than average compared to the 4% average growth rate across all US occupations. This above-average outlook reflects strong demand driven by demographic trends, technological change, or expanding industry activity. Job seekers entering the Occupational Therapist field can expect a relatively active hiring market over the coming decade. Source: BLS Employment Projections program.

Approximately 152,280 people work as Occupational Therapists in the United States, making it a specialized occupation in the US labor market. This employment count is based on the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024 release, SOC 29-1122. The OEWS program covers non-farm wage and salary workers and excludes the self-employed. Total US employment across all occupations surveyed in the same release was approximately 158 million workers. The Occupational Therapist field represents roughly 0.10% of total surveyed US employment.