Helps patients regain daily life skills after injury, illness, or developmental challenges.
Pay scales steeply with tenure for Occupational Therapists. National figures, before regional adjustments.
| Experience | Median 2026 | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0–1 yr) | $74,000 | $61,700 | $88,700 |
| Junior (2–4 yrs) | $92,000 | $76,700 | $110,300 |
| Mid-Level (5–9 yrs) | $105,800 | $88,200 | $126,800 |
| Senior (10–14 yrs) | $126,900 | $105,800 | $152,100 |
| Veteran (15+ yrs) | $143,800 | $119,900 | $172,400 |
Top 10 states by median Occupational Therapist salary in 2026.
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | $148,200 | $112,600 | $192,600 | +40% |
| California | $142,900 | $108,600 | $185,700 | +35% |
| New York | $140,800 | $107,000 | $183,000 | +33% |
| Massachusetts | $137,600 | $104,600 | $178,900 | +30% |
| Washington | $137,600 | $104,600 | $178,900 | +30% |
| Connecticut | $128,100 | $97,300 | $166,500 | +21% |
| Maryland | $127,000 | $96,500 | $165,100 | +20% |
| New Jersey | $124,900 | $94,900 | $162,400 | +18% |
| Colorado | $123,800 | $94,100 | $161,000 | +17% |
| Hawaii | $120,700 | $91,700 | $156,900 | +14% |
| State | Median | 25th % | 75th % | vs Nat'l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $90,000 | $68,400 | $117,000 | -15% |
| North Dakota | $88,900 | $67,600 | $115,600 | -16% |
| Oklahoma | $88,900 | $67,600 | $115,600 | -16% |
| Wyoming | $88,900 | $67,600 | $115,600 | -16% |
| Alabama | $87,800 | $66,800 | $114,200 | -17% |
| Louisiana | $87,800 | $66,800 | $114,200 | -17% |
| Arkansas | $84,700 | $64,400 | $110,100 | -20% |
| South Dakota | $84,700 | $64,400 | $110,100 | -20% |
| Mississippi | $82,600 | $62,700 | $107,300 | -22% |
| West Virginia | $82,600 | $62,700 | $107,300 | -22% |
Metro-level pay frequently outpaces state averages — major metros concentrate higher wages.
Click any state for detailed breakdown by experience level and percentile.
The median is just a benchmark. Your exact market value also depends on your state, experience, and education. Use the free calculator for a personalized number.
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