Occupational Therapist Salary.
Across 30 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
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.