Occupational therapists in the United States make a median annual salary of about $98,340 as of May 2024, which translates to approximately $47.28 per hour according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
. Other sources report similar figures, with median salaries around $96,370 in 2023 and average hourly wages ranging from about $31 to $51 depending on location and experience
. Salaries can vary significantly by geographic location, industry, and specialization. For example, occupational therapists in metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago tend to earn higher wages, often exceeding $100,000 annually
. The highest-paying industries include management of companies, home health care services, and outpatient care centers, with salaries ranging from approximately $101,000 to $115,000 per year
. States such as California, New York, and Nevada offer some of the highest average salaries for occupational therapists, often above $105,000 annually
. Entry-level or new graduate occupational therapists typically earn less, while those with advanced skills or specialties, such as gerontology, can command higher hourly rates (e.g., about $40 per hour for geriatric OT)
. Salary ranges reported by various sources indicate that occupational therapy salaries can range broadly from around $60,000 to over $100,000, with some exceptional cases reaching even higher depending on experience, setting, and negotiation
. In summary, occupational therapists generally earn between $79,000 and $110,000 annually, with a median around $98,000, and hourly wages typically between $40 and $50, influenced by factors such as location, experience, and specialty
