The national occupational therapist salary was a median of $100,330 per year, or $48.24 per hour, in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The mean was $101,280 per year, while annual wages ranged from $71,690 at the 10th percentile to $131,950 at the 90th percentile.
Those figures place OT among healthcare careers with six-figure median pay, but your work setting, location and schedule can change how a job offer compares with the national benchmark. Understanding the numbers alongside the work and training helps you decide whether occupational therapy fits your interests, educational plans and preferred working environment.
OT Pay and Career Data at a Glance
- The May 2025 national median was $100,330 per year or $48.24 per hour, while the mean was $101,280.
- Home healthcare services had the highest median among five major OT settings at $106,300, while educational services had the lowest at $87,300.
- California had the highest state median at $124,510 and the most estimated OT employment, while North Dakota had the lowest state median at $83,200.
- OT employment is projected to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 10,000 openings projected each year on average.
The Daily Work of an Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people with injuries, illnesses or disabilities. They help clients develop, recover, improve or maintain skills needed for daily life and work. Depending on the client, that could mean supporting independence after a stroke, helping someone adapt to the loss of a limb or working with a young person who has a developmental disorder.
The emphasis on everyday activities distinguishes OT from nearby rehabilitation careers. If you are still deciding between fields, a closer comparison of OT and PT can help you examine how their clinical priorities differ before you commit to graduate-level preparation.
Occupational therapists typically work in healthcare settings, but some work in schools and others travel to clients’ homes. In 2025, the largest employers included therapy offices, hospitals, educational services, home healthcare services and nursing care facilities. This range gives you several possible working environments, though each comes with different schedules, patient needs and pay.
Most OTs work full time, but part-time work is common. Nights or weekends may be necessary when clients need appointments outside standard daytime hours. The work also has a physical side: the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports that OTs have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses among occupations because they may lift or move clients and heavy equipment. When considering OT, think about whether you are comfortable with sustained client contact, hands-on assistance and work that can be physically demanding.
National Occupational Therapist Pay
The median is usually the clearest starting point for evaluating OT pay. The BLS defines it as the 50th percentile, meaning half of workers earn more and half earn less. The mean is calculated by dividing total wages by the number of employees. For May 2025, the national median was $100,330 and the mean was $101,280.
The BLS May 2025 national OEWS estimates show annual and hourly occupational therapist wages at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles, along with the national mean.
| Wage measure | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| 25th percentile | $82,510 | $39.67 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $100,330 | $48.24 |
| 75th percentile | $116,670 | $56.09 |
| 90th percentile | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Mean (average) | $101,280 | $48.69 |
The pay table above shows how wide the range is. The 10th-percentile annual estimate was $71,690, while the 90th-percentile estimate was $131,950. These are points on the national wage scale, not starting salaries.
How OT Pay Compares With Related Careers
For context, the May 2025 median was $103,500 across healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners and $50,980 across all occupations. Occupational therapists were between those benchmarks at $100,330. Physical therapists had median pay of $102,760 and typically needed a doctoral or professional degree to enter. IMA’s physical therapist salary guide covers that profession’s compensation in greater detail.
Speech-language pathologists had median pay of $97,870 and typically entered with a master’s degree. You can review the separate speech-language pathologist salary guide if communication disorders interest you. The BLS similar-occupations table reported median pay of $70,800 for occupational therapy assistants and aides, which the BLS profiles together. These comparisons suggest that salary alone may not settle your choice. The type of treatment you want to provide and the education required to enter each profession also matter.
How to Compare BLS Wages With a Job Offer
The hourly estimate is often more useful than the annual estimate when reviewing a part-time position. OEWS annual wages assume 2,080 hours of full-time, year-round work, even though the survey covers both full-time and part-time wage and salary employees. Because part-time work is common among occupational therapists, an individual’s actual annual earnings may be lower even when the hourly rate is close to the national median.
The wage figures also are not complete compensation figures. Under the BLS definition of OEWS wages, estimates include wages and salaries but exclude employer costs for health insurance and retirement contributions. They also exclude nonproduction bonuses, overtime pay, shift differentials, on-call pay, holiday premium pay, weekend premium pay and year-end bonuses. OEWS wages represent straight-time gross pay rather than premium pay.
When comparing an offer with the national figures, first match annual pay with annual pay or hourly pay with hourly pay. Then review the expected weekly hours and whether the role is full time. Finally, consider the excluded items separately rather than assuming they are reflected in the published median. The survey also excludes self-employed workers and owners or partners in unincorporated firms, so its figures apply to employees paid a wage or salary.
Occupational Therapist Pay by Work Setting
Work setting matters because OT roles are distributed across several major industries. Occupational therapists held about 169,600 jobs in 2025. Therapy offices accounted for 28 percent, hospitals for 26 percent, educational services for 13 percent, home healthcare services for 8 percent and nursing care facilities for 7 percent.
The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook reports the May 2025 median annual wage for occupational therapists in each of these five settings, alongside their 2025 shares of OT jobs.
| Work setting | Share of OT jobs (2025) | Median annual wage (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Home healthcare services | 8% | $106,300 |
| Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) | 7% | $105,850 |
| Hospitals (state, local and private) | 26% | $102,820 |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists and audiologists | 28% | $97,940 |
| Educational services (state, local and private) | 13% | $87,300 |
The setting table above shows home healthcare services at the top of this group with a $106,300 median, followed closely by skilled nursing facilities at $105,850. Hospitals had a $102,820 median, while therapy offices had a $97,940 median. Educational services had the lowest median of the five at $87,300.
These settings also involve meaningfully different routines. Home health can involve travel to clients, while school-based practice places you in an educational environment. Hospitals and nursing facilities may involve clients with substantial medical or mobility needs. Rather than selecting a setting from salary alone, consider the population, physical demands, schedule and location in which you would be comfortable providing care.
Occupational Therapist Salary by State
State wage data can help you compare markets, but employment estimates are also relevant when you are considering where OT jobs are concentrated.
The BLS May 2025 state OEWS estimates report occupational therapist employment and median and mean annual wages across the 50 states and District of Columbia.
| State | Employment | Median annual wage | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,500 | $94,050 | $95,760 |
| Alaska | 410 | $103,680 | $108,000 |
| Arizona | 2,680 | $103,660 | $104,960 |
| Arkansas | 2,160 | $106,360 | $104,940 |
| California | 13,810 | $124,510 | $121,920 |
| Colorado | 3,390 | $106,720 | $111,620 |
| Connecticut | 3,150 | $102,440 | $102,140 |
| Delaware | 490 | $102,130 | $105,190 |
| District of Columbia | 540 | $109,170 | $110,850 |
| Florida | 10,650 | $99,360 | $95,620 |
| Georgia | 3,650 | $104,010 | $101,460 |
| Hawaii | 390 | $102,870 | $100,280 |
| Idaho | 840 | $97,760 | $100,000 |
| Illinois | 7,710 | $99,700 | $99,570 |
| Indiana | 3,830 | $97,020 | $96,090 |
| Iowa | 1,290 | $89,910 | $89,720 |
| Kansas | 1,560 | $99,170 | $96,150 |
| Kentucky | 2,190 | $97,650 | $95,450 |
| Louisiana | 2,060 | $98,490 | $92,940 |
| Maine | 1,120 | $84,310 | $87,900 |
| Maryland | 2,390 | $106,980 | $106,300 |
| Massachusetts | 6,510 | $100,930 | $99,730 |
| Michigan | 5,120 | $89,910 | $89,150 |
| Minnesota | 3,670 | $93,050 | $91,450 |
| Mississippi | 1,340 | $94,930 | $93,430 |
| Missouri | 3,400 | $97,290 | $95,200 |
| Montana | 420 | $88,990 | $92,310 |
| Nebraska | 1,500 | $93,740 | $91,620 |
| Nevada | 1,080 | $110,520 | $112,290 |
| New Hampshire | 1,240 | $83,900 | $89,080 |
| New Jersey | 6,290 | $103,410 | $110,150 |
| New Mexico | 1,030 | $99,170 | $101,800 |
| New York | 11,690 | $96,390 | $97,650 |
| North Carolina | 4,490 | $92,940 | $91,360 |
| North Dakota | 570 | $83,200 | $87,670 |
| Ohio | 6,760 | $99,390 | $97,390 |
| Oklahoma | 1,180 | $104,300 | $104,370 |
| Oregon | 1,170 | $112,310 | $112,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 6,560 | $98,440 | $98,460 |
| Rhode Island | 770 | $100,040 | $99,380 |
| South Carolina | 1,840 | $101,130 | $97,180 |
| South Dakota | 490 | $85,050 | $88,150 |
| Tennessee | 2,490 | $97,700 | $95,080 |
| Texas | 13,400 | $106,140 | $107,630 |
| Utah | 1,030 | $97,150 | $97,210 |
| Vermont | 320 | $93,340 | $92,960 |
| Virginia | 4,150 | $100,710 | $102,130 |
| Washington | 3,340 | $107,670 | $110,100 |
| West Virginia | 700 | $96,190 | $95,810 |
| Wisconsin | 3,710 | $92,390 | $91,150 |
| Wyoming | 350 | $86,170 | $90,790 |
The state table above shows that California ranked first among the 51 jurisdictions by annual median wage at $124,510. Oregon followed at $112,310, then Nevada at $110,520, the District of Columbia at $109,170 and Washington at $107,670.
At the other end, North Dakota had the lowest median at $83,200. New Hampshire was next at $83,900, followed by Maine at $84,310, South Dakota at $85,050 and Wyoming at $86,170.
California also had the highest estimated state employment at 13,810 occupational therapists, followed by Texas with 13,400, New York with 11,690 and Florida with 10,650. California therefore combined the highest median with the largest estimated state workforce. Texas had a $106,140 median, New York had a $96,390 median and Florida had a $99,360 median, illustrating that employment size and wage rank are separate comparisons.
Occupational Therapist Job Outlook
The occupational therapist job outlook is positive. The BLS projects OT employment to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3 percent for all occupations. That projection represents an increase from 169,600 jobs in 2025 to 194,800 in 2035, or 25,200 additional jobs.
About 10,000 OT openings are projected each year on average over the decade. Many are expected to result from workers changing occupations or leaving the labor force, including retirement. Openings therefore include both growth positions and replacement needs.
The BLS expects demand to rise partly because the older adult population is growing and older adults are more likely to experience disabilities or limitations in everyday activities. Occupational therapy is also expected to remain part of treatment for people with conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral palsy and stroke, as well as people who have lost a limb. Continued treatment of children and young adults with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder also contributes to demand.
For you, that growth is useful context when weighing the two to three years of graduate study and the licensing steps ahead.
Education, Fieldwork and Licensing Requirements
Occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy to enter the profession, and every state requires licensure. Graduate OT programs require a bachelor’s degree, but the undergraduate degree does not necessarily have to be in a particular subject. Programs frequently require prior coursework in biology, psychology and other sciences.
Some programs also require applicants to have volunteered or worked in an occupational therapy setting. If you are exploring rehabilitation care more broadly, a physical therapy internship can help you observe a related field, although each OT program decides which experiences satisfy its own admission requirements. Review individual program prerequisites before choosing courses or experience solely for an application.
Master’s programs in occupational therapy usually take two to three years. Coursework commonly includes kinesiology, neuroscience and anatomy, and students must complete supervised fieldwork hours. Fieldwork matters because it connects academic study with direct clinical experience before independent practice.
Licensing rules vary by state, but candidates must at minimum pass a qualifying examination. Eligibility for that exam requires a degree from an accredited occupational therapy program that includes fieldwork. Passing permits use of the Occupational Therapist Registered title, and continuing education is required to maintain licensure and certification. The BLS education and licensing overview provides the national career pathway, but you should also review the rules for the state where you expect to practice.
Choosing Whether Occupational Therapy Fits You
Occupational therapy combines six-figure national median pay with work centered on helping people participate more independently in daily life. The career may suit you if you value sustained client interaction, practical problem-solving and the option to work in healthcare, schools or clients’ homes. You should also be prepared for graduate study, supervised fieldwork, licensure and potentially physical work.
Your next step is to compare the daily responsibilities with your own interests, then observe rehabilitation professionals in settings you are considering. Learning how medical internships can turn OT exposure into career goals can help you approach that experience with specific questions about clients, teamwork, schedules and the realities of practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does an Occupational Therapist Make Per Hour?
The median occupational therapist hourly wage was $48.24 in May 2025. The mean was $48.69 per hour, while percentile estimates ranged from $34.47 at the 10th percentile to $63.44 at the 90th percentile.
What Is the Difference Between Average and Median OT Salary?
The median is the point at which half of occupational therapists earn more and half earn less, while the mean is total wages divided by the number of employees. In May 2025, the median annual OT wage was $100,330 and the mean was $101,280.
Which State Pays Occupational Therapists the Most?
California had the highest occupational therapist median salary among the 50 states and District of Columbia in May 2025. Its median was $124,510, and the state also had the highest estimated OT employment at 13,810.
Which Work Settings Pay Occupational Therapists the Most?
Home healthcare services had the highest May 2025 median among the five major settings reported by the BLS, at $106,300. Skilled nursing facilities followed at $105,850, while hospitals had a median of $102,820.
Do Occupational Therapist Salary Figures Include Benefits?
No. OEWS wage estimates exclude employer costs for benefits such as health insurance and retirement contributions. They also exclude overtime, shift differentials, on-call pay, several forms of premium pay and nonproduction bonuses.
Do Physical Therapists Earn More Than Occupational Therapists?
Physical therapists had slightly higher national median pay in May 2025. Their median was $102,760 compared with $100,330 for occupational therapists. Physical therapists typically enter with a doctoral or professional degree, while occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree.
Is Demand for Occupational Therapists Growing?
Yes. Occupational therapist employment is projected to grow 15 percent from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3 percent for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,000 OT openings per year on average during that period.
What Degree Do You Need to Become an Occupational Therapist?
Occupational therapists typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy. Admission requires a bachelor’s degree, and the master’s program usually takes two to three years and includes supervised fieldwork. You must then meet state licensing requirements and pass a qualifying exam.
