How much do occupational therapists actually make? The short answer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), is a median of $98,340 per year. Of course, your actual pay can vary based on where you work, your practice setting, experience, and whether you have any specializations.
Let’s break down OT pay from every angle.
With the median annual wage at $98,340, that comes out to about $47.28 per hour.
Here's a better look at the pay range by percentile:
Percentile | Annual Wage |
10th (lowest earners) | $67,090 |
25th | $80,490 |
50th (median) | $98,340 |
75th | $110,460 |
90th (highest earners) | $129,830 |
The spread between the 10th and 90th percentiles exceeds $62,000. This underscores just how much setting, location, and experience can really affect your paycheck.
Source:BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024
Where you practice has a major impact on your pay. Here are the average annual wages for OTs across the most common work settings, per theBLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics:
Setting | Mean Annual Wage |
Nursing Care Facilities (SNFs) | $103,210 |
Home Health Care Services | $103,010 |
Hospitals | $100,770 |
Outpatient Care Centers | $96,380 |
Elementary and Secondary Schools | $83,890 |
Home health and SNF settings consistently pay the most, while school-based OTs earn less. Although school-based OTs earn less on paper, many value the school calendar schedule and summers off as a fair trade.
If you're open to relocating, geography can make a noticeable difference in your salary. According to the BLS data, these are the top-paying states:
State | Mean Annual Wage |
California | $113,550 |
New York | $107,530 |
Nevada | $107,070 |
New Jersey | $105,880 |
Colorado | $104,950 |
That said, raw salary still doesn't give us the full story. When you factor in the cost of living (using theBureau of Economic Analysis regional price parity data), states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, or Iowa offer more purchasing power per dollar earned. A $98,000 salary in Oklahoma can definitely stretch further than $113,000 can in California.
Your earnings as an Occupational Therapist will generally grow over time, though the jumps tend to be a bit more gradual than many OTs expect.
Using the BLS percentile data as a rough guide:
The AOTA 2023 Workforce and Compensation Survey reported a median salary of $74,731 for its respondents, though self-reported survey data often runs lower than BLS figures.
Key Takeaway: Salary growth in OT is steady but not dramatic. The bigger pay bumps usually come from switching settings, relocating to a higher-paying state, or moving into leadership roles, rather than simply accumulating years on the job.
If you're about to graduate from OT school, here's what you can expect. According to ZipRecruiter, entry-level occupational therapists earn an average of $94,375 per year as of early 2026, with the majority falling between $80,500 (25th percentile) and $106,000 (75th percentile).
Your first offer will depend heavily on several factors:
The bright side for new grads: since the BLS projects 14% job growth for OTs through 2034, you're entering a market with a strong demand and solid leverage for starting salaries.
Though the data varies by source, specializing in a specific area can significantly boost your earning potential while allowing you to focus on a population or setting you enjoy the most.
Certified hand therapists are consistently among the highest-paid OT specialists. Salary estimates range from $94,297 (ZipRecruiter) to $127,153 (Glassdoor). Becoming a CHT requires at least 4,000 hours of direct hand therapy experience and passing the CHT exam.
According to the 2023 OTs in Pelvic Health Salary Survey, employee OTs in pelvic health earn a median of $80,000 per year. Earning potential is higher in private practice, where cash-based practice owners reported a median hourly rate of $150.
ZipRecruiter data shows that positions in mental health OT, geriatric OT, and brain injury OT can average around $94,375 per year. Acute care OT averages $91,950, and pediatric OT averages $86,665.
Travel occupational therapy is one of the fastest paths to a higher income. According to Vivian, the average travel OT earns about $2,221 per week as of early 2026. This works out to roughly $115,492 annually if you work year-round.
Weekly pay varies based on demand:
Demand Level | Weekly Pay |
High-demand areas | Up to $2,900 |
Average | $2,221 |
Low-demand areas | Around $1,660 |
Travel OTs typically earn 10-15% more than permanent staff. Beyond base pay, many travel positions also include housing stipends, travel reimbursement, and other perks. The trade-off is less job stability and frequent relocations, which may not be ideal for everyone.
Occupational therapy and physical therapy are often compared. Here's how their salaries stack up based on BLS data:
Metric | OT | PT |
Median Annual Wage | $98,340 | $101,020 |
10th Percentile | $67,090 | $74,420 |
90th Percentile | $129,830 | $132,500 |
While PTs can earn slightly more on average, OTs can boost earnings through specialties, leadership roles, or travel OT. Plus, with growing demand, occupational therapy remains one of the most rewarding and financially competitive careers.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (OT,PT)
With the BLS projecting a 14% employment growth for occupational therapists between 2024 and 2034, that's nearly five times the 3% average for all occupations. This makes OT one of the faster-growing fields in healthcare.
So whether you’re a new grad or a seasoned clinician, this strong demand gives pretty decent leverage in the job market.
Even in a high-demand field like occupational therapy, negotiation matters. Let’s go over a few practical strategies:
Do your homework first. Check OTSalary.com for legit, user-reported salary data filtered by region, setting, and experience level. You can also cross-reference with BLS data for your state and setting to build a solid case.
Ask for time. When you get an offer, request a few days to review it. You don't have to respond right on the spot.
Know your floor. Before negotiations start, determine the minimum salary you'd accept and your ideal target number. This ensures you're never making decisions under pressure.
Negotiate beyond base pay. If the employer won't budge on salary, there are other things worth asking for that can add value, such as:
According to a Glassdoor study, the average American could earn about $7,500 more per year simply by negotiating. Don't leave money on the table, and make sure to advocate for yourself.