Occupational therapists in the US earn $93,180 on average — with significant variation based on setting, location, and specialty.
Average Occupational Therapist Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average OT salary | $93,180 |
| Median OT salary | $88,350 |
| Entry level (0-2 years) | $68,000 |
| Mid-career (5-10 years) | $90,000-$100,000 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | $100,000-$115,000 |
| Top 10% earn | $115,000+ |
| Hourly rate (average) | $44.80 |
Occupational Therapist Salary by Experience
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| New Grad (0-1 year) | $68,000 |
| Early Career (1-3 years) | $75,000 |
| Mid-Career (4-7 years) | $88,000 |
| Experienced (8-12 years) | $98,000 |
| Senior/Expert (12+ years) | $105,000+ |
| Director of OT | $110,000-$130,000 |
OT Salary by Work Setting
| Setting | Average Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Travel OT | $100,000-$130,000 | + housing stipend |
| Skilled Nursing Facility | $95,000-$110,000 | High demand |
| Home Health | $90,000-$105,000 | Flexible |
| Hospital (Acute) | $88,000-$100,000 | Benefits |
| Outpatient Clinic | $80,000-$95,000 | Regular hours |
| School System | $70,000-$90,000 | School schedule |
| Private Practice | $85,000-$120,000 | Varies widely |
| Pediatric | $75,000-$90,000 | Lower pay, rewarding |
Why SNFs Pay More
Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) pay OTs more because:
- High patient volumes
- Billing pressure for productivity
- Less desirable setting for many
- Complex patient populations
OT Salary by State (Highest Paying)
| State | Average Salary | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|
| California | $107,000 | Very High |
| Nevada | $103,000 | High |
| New Jersey | $101,000 | High |
| Texas | $95,000 | Moderate |
| Colorado | $94,000 | High |
| Oregon | $93,000 | High |
| Arizona | $92,000 | Moderate |
| Florida | $87,000 | Moderate |
| Georgia | $90,000 | Moderate |
| Ohio | $85,000 | Low |
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco | $115,000 |
| Los Angeles | $105,000 |
| New York City | $100,000 |
| Las Vegas | $100,000 |
| Denver | $95,000 |
| Dallas | $93,000 |
| Seattle | $95,000 |
| Phoenix | $92,000 |
OT Salary by Specialty
| OT Specialty | Average Salary | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Hand Therapy (CHT) | $95,000-$110,000 | CHT |
| Neurorehabilitation | $90,000-$105,000 | BCPR |
| Pediatrics | $78,000-$92,000 | BCP |
| Mental Health | $80,000-$95,000 | — |
| Gerontology | $88,000-$100,000 | — |
| Low Vision | $85,000-$98,000 | SCLV |
| Driving Rehab | $85,000-$100,000 | CDRS |
OT Assistant (COTA) Salary Comparison
| Role | Average Salary | Education Required |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist | $93,180 | Master’s degree |
| OT Assistant (COTA) | $62,940 | Associate degree |
| OT Aide | $35,000 | On-the-job training |
OT Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | FICA | State Tax (avg) | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75,000 | $8,650 | $5,738 | $3,000 | $57,612 |
| $93,180 | $13,100 | $7,128 | $3,727 | $69,225 |
| $105,000 | $16,500 | $8,033 | $4,200 | $76,267 |
| $120,000 | $20,400 | $9,180 | $4,800 | $85,620 |
How to Increase OT Salary
- Become a travel OT — Earn $100K-$130K+ with housing
- Get CHT certification — Hand therapists earn 15-20% more
- Work in SNF or home health — Higher paying settings
- Move to high-paying states — CA, NV, NJ pay most
- Gain PRN/contract positions — Higher hourly rates
- Pursue management — Directors earn $110K-$130K
- Specialize — Specialties command premium pay
Job Outlook for Occupational Therapists
| Metric | Data |
|---|---|
| Projected growth (2022-2032) | 14% (much faster than average) |
| Annual job openings | 10,100 |
| Median age of OTs | 37 years |
| Demand drivers | Aging population, chronic conditions |
OT vs Physical Therapist Salary
| Role | Average Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist | $93,180 | +14% |
| Physical Therapist | $97,720 | +15% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $84,140 | +19% |
PTs earn slightly more but have similar job markets.
Is Occupational Therapy a Good Career?
Pros:
- Strong salary ($93K average)
- Excellent job growth (14%)
- Meaningful, patient-centered work
- Variety of work settings
- Good work-life balance possible
- Travel OT option for high earners
Cons:
- Requires master’s degree (and student loans)
- Physical demands of the job
- Productivity pressure in some settings
- Documentation burden
- Reimbursement changes affecting jobs
OT Education & Licensing Costs
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| OT Master’s Program | $60,000-$150,000 |
| OT Doctorate (OTD) | $80,000-$200,000 |
| NBCOT Exam | $555 |
| State License | $100-$400/year |
| CEU Requirements | $500-$1,500/year |
Bottom Line
Occupational therapists earn $93,180/year on average, with travel OTs and those in skilled nursing earning $100,000-$130,000+. The profession has excellent job growth (14%) and offers multiple pathways to increase earnings through specialty certification, travel positions, or management roles.