Occupational Therapist Salary.
Across 83 U.S. cities.
$86,000
national median salary
$70,000 to $104,000. Last updated April 2026.
Highest Paying
$118,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$90,000
Washington DC, DC
Lowest Paying
$65,000
Charleston, WV
Salary data sourced from SEC filings, H-1B Labor Condition Applications (DOL), Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and aggregated job postings across 50+ platforms. Ranges reflect 25th to 75th percentile for full-time positions. Cost-of-living adjustments use Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (2025 index). Last updated April 2026.
The average Occupational Therapist salary in the United States is $86,000 in 2026, with the full range spanning $70,000 at the 25th percentile to $104,000 at the 75th. San Francisco pays the most at $118,000, while Washington DC offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Practice setting is the primary salary driver, with acute care hospitals and home health paying above outpatient and school-based roles.
Occupational Therapist salary by city
Skills that increase Occupational Therapist pay
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Occupational Therapists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $12,040 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$12,040 per year
≈ +$11,180 per year
≈ +$10,320 per year
≈ +$9,460 per year
≈ +$9,460 per year
≈ +$8,600 per year
≈ +$8,600 per year
≈ +$7,740 per year
What you should know
Practice setting is the primary salary driver, with acute care hospitals and home health paying above outpatient and school-based roles. Hand therapy certification commands a notable premium. States with higher Medicaid reimbursement rates and metropolitan areas with greater demand also push compensation upward.
New OTs start around $68,000 to $78,000 depending on setting. Mid-career OTs with specialty certifications reach $88,000 to $100,000. OT directors or program managers in hospital systems can earn $105,000 to $125,000 with administrative and clinical oversight responsibilities.
OTs typically receive CEU allowances, student loan assistance programs, and comprehensive health benefits. Some employers offer productivity bonuses tied to billable units, adding $3,000 to $8,000 annually for high-performing therapists.