How Much Does an Occupational Therapist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$100,330
Occupational therapists in the U.S. earn a median of $100,330 a year, or $48.24 an hour. Half of occupational therapists earn more than $100,330 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $131,950.
Pay percentiles for occupational therapists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34.47 | $71,690 |
| 25th | $39.67 | $82,510 |
| 50th (median) | $48.24 | $100,330 |
| 75th | $56.09 | $116,670 |
| 90th | $63.44 | $131,950 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $124,510 | $59.86 | +24% |
| Oregon | $112,310 | $54.00 | +12% |
| Nevada | $110,520 | $53.13 | +10% |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 | $52.49 | +9% |
| Washington | $107,670 | $51.77 | +7% |
| Maryland | $106,980 | $51.43 | +7% |
| Colorado | $106,720 | $51.31 | +6% |
| Arkansas | $106,360 | $51.14 | +6% |
| Texas | $106,140 | $51.03 | +6% |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 | $50.14 | +4% |
| United States | $100,330 | $48.24 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many occupational therapists are there?
BLS counts about 162,450 occupational therapists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (13,810), Texas (13,400) and New York (11,690).
The mean (average) annual wage is $101,280, higher than the median of $100,330.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $8,361
- Biweekly
- $3,859
- Weekly
- $1,929
- Daily (8 hours)
- $386
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for occupational therapists is $48.24. The middle 50% earn between $39.67 and $56.09 an hour.
Which state pays occupational therapists the most?
California has the highest median wage for occupational therapists at $124,510, +24% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for occupational therapists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of occupational therapists earn less than $71,690 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.