Occupational Therapist Salary 2023: Percentiles, Settings & Trends
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023) data for Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122):
National Salary Distribution
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|
| 10% | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| 25% | $77,020 | $37.03 |
| 50% (Median) | $96,370 | $46.33 |
| 75% | $116,420 | $55.97 |
| 90% | $136,810 | $65.77 |
Top-Paying Settings (Mean Annual)
- Home Health Care Services — $108,760
- Outpatient Care Centers — $105,680
- Nursing Care Facilities — $101,540
- General Medical/Surgical Hospitals — $96,830
- Offices of Other Health Practitioners — $94,280
- Elementary/Secondary Schools — $83,290
Top-Paying States (Mean Annual)
- California — $113,550
- Nevada — $110,830
- New Jersey — $107,530
- Texas — $105,810
- Virginia — $103,880
Metropolitan Areas (Top 5 Mean)
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA — $128,540
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA — $125,420
- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV — $118,790
- Salinas, CA — $117,220
- Modesto, CA — $115,880
Employment Outlook
- Projected growth 2022-2032: 12% (much faster than average)
- Annual openings: ~9,600 (growth + replacement)
- Drivers: Aging population, chronic conditions, autism/IDD services, mental health integration
Salary Negotiation Factors
- Specialty certification (CHT, CHT, SCS, etc.)
- Productivity metrics (units, RVUs, visits/day)
- Mentorship/clinical instruction role
- Geographic flexibility
- Contract vs. employed (1099 typically 15-25% higher hourly, no benefits)
Data source: BLS OEWS May 2023 (released April 2024). Always negotiate total compensation (benefits, CEU, PTO, sign-on, loan repayment).
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