Occupational Therapist Salary: $96K US Median

The 2026 US national median Occupational Therapist salary is $96,370 per year. Entry-level (25th percentile) starts at $70,000, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $125,000 or more. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, blended with 2026 market data from Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, and Robert Half.

Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,602 in 2025 to $96,370 in 2026 (+$81,768). This reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth, driven by demand for Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty.

The 5 highest-paying US cities for Occupational Therapists: San Francisco, CA ($149K); Oakland, CA ($135K); New York, NY ($130K); Seattle, WA ($127K); Washington, DC ($125K). Note these higher salaries usually correspond to higher cost-of-living — see individual city pages for purchasing-power-adjusted figures.

Lowest-paying metros for Occupational Therapists: Wichita ($82K), El Paso ($82K), Tulsa ($85K). However, these cities also have proportionally lower cost-of-living, so real purchasing power may exceed expensive metros.

OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. BLS projects 11% employment growth from 2024-2034 — much faster than average compared to all US occupations.

The hottest 2026 skills are: Telehealth OT, Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT), Mental health OT, Geriatric care. These appear in the highest-paying job listings, command 15-30% salary premiums, and are heavily weighted by ATS keyword filters. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate.

Master's or Doctorate (OTD/MOT). However, the 2026 market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly in Healthcare. Top recognized credentials: OTR/L (Registered/Licensed), Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT).

Given the current shortage in this specialty and my certifications, I'm looking for $X base plus shift differential and a sign-on bonus. What flexibility do you have on those line items? Key leverage points for Healthcare: Specialty certifications (CCRN, OCS, BCPS, FNP) command 8-15% premiums; Compact license / multi-state authority and willingness to float between units; Night, weekend, and holiday shift differentials add up to $10K-$25K annually. Beyond base salary, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles), Tuition reimbursement and certification stipends, Loan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible), Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%).

Major US employers hiring Occupational Therapists include: Hospital systems, Schools, Skilled nursing facilities, Outpatient clinics, Home health. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even reach a human recruiter.

Entry-level (0–1 year) Occupational Therapists typically earn around $69,000. By year 2–3, salary climbs to $75,000. With 7–10 years of experience, Occupational Therapists earn $110,000 on average. Senior/lead roles (15+ years) reach $117,500 or more.