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2026 Salary Data — Long Beach, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

Occupational Therapist Salary in Long Beach: $116K Median

Occupational Therapists in Long Beach, CA earn between $84K and $150K per year.

That's +20% above the US national median of $96,370 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Occupational Therapist salary in Long Beach, CA is $115,644 per year — +20% above the US national median of $96,370. Salaries range from $84,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $150,000 (90th percentile). Occupational Therapists in Long Beach earned approximately $17,522 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$115,644
+560.0% YoY · $9,637/mo
Entry
$90,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$132,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$150,000
Senior/lead
Occupational Therapist Salary — Long Beach vs Nearby
Long Beach
$116K
Los Angeles
$123K
-6% vs Long Beach
San Diego
$114K
+2% vs Long Beach
San Francisco
$149K
-23% vs Long Beach

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About Occupational Therapists in Long Beach

Occupational therapists help patients perform daily activities through therapeutic interventions tailored to physical, cognitive, or developmental needs.

Core Responsibilities

  • Patient assessment
  • Treatment plans
  • Adaptive equipment training
  • Documentation
  • Family education

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Master's or Doctorate (OTD/MOT)

In-demand certifications

OTR/L (Registered/Licensed)Pediatric specialtyHand therapy (CHT)Mental health specialty

Long Beach Job Market

Major Pacific port city with strong aerospace and healthcare presence.

Population
467K
Cost of Living
153
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5%
Median Home
$770K

Top Industries in Long Beach

AerospaceHealthcareLogistics (Port)TourismEducation

Top Employers Hiring Occupational Therapists

Major employers active in Long Beach or hiring remotely from this metro.

Hospital systems
Schools
Skilled nursing facilities
Outpatient clinics
Home health

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Occupational Therapist listings.

Telehealth OTPediatric specialtyHand therapy (CHT)Mental health OTGeriatric care

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

OTR/Lpatient evaluationADL trainingpediatric OThand therapysensory integrationsplinting
Career Outlook
+11% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand.

Occupational Therapist Salary Breakdown — Long Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$84,000$115,644$150,000
Monthly$7,000$9,637$12,500
Weekly$1,615$2,224$2,885
Hourly$40$56$72

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,370) adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Occupational Therapist Take-Home Pay in Long Beach

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$83,293.134
Per month$6,941
Biweekly paycheck$3,204
Effective tax rate28.0%

Tax Breakdown on $115,644

Gross salary$115,644
Federal income tax−$17,143.68
California state tax−$6,360.42
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,846.766
Take-home (net)$83,293.134

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Occupational Therapist Salary by Experience — Long Beach

Career-stage progression for Occupational Therapists in Long Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$82,800
2–3 yr$90,000
4–6 yr$111,000
7–10 yr$132,000
11–15 yr$155,760
15+ yr$141,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Long Beach's 1.20× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,522
2026 median:$115,644
Change:+$98,122

Healthcare sector growth driven by demand for Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$75,584
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your Occupational Therapist Salary in Long Beach

Walk-away anchor: $105,131 (offers below this are below market for Long Beach).

Leverage Points

  • 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
  • Critical-shortage specialties (ICU, ER, NICU, oncology) have the most leverage

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($10K-$30K, often $50K+ for hard-to-fill roles)Tuition reimbursement and certification stipendsLoan repayment programs (especially federal/HRSA-eligible)Shift differentials (nights +15%, weekends +10%)Relocation package and housing stipend

What To Say

"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?"

Anchor on $132K–$150K for experienced roles, citing Long Beach market data and your specific Telehealth OT/Pediatric specialty expertise.

Occupational Therapist Salary FAQ — Long Beach

What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in Long Beach, CA?
The average Occupational Therapist salary in Long Beach is $115,644 per year as of April 2026 — $9,637/month, $2,224/week, or about $56/hour. Salaries range from $84,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $150,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (1.20×).
Is $115,644 a good Occupational Therapist salary in Long Beach?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Long Beach's cost-of-living index is 153 (vs 100 nationally), giving $115,644 a real purchasing power of approximately $75,584 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $115,644 in Long Beach?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Long Beach specifically (median home price $770,000), a $115,644 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $115,644 enough for a single person in Long Beach?
A single adult in Long Beach typically needs ~$68,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $115,644 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $115,644 enough for a couple in Long Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$110,160 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $115,644 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $115,644 each ($231,288 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $115,644 enough for a family of 4 in Long Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Long Beach typically needs ~$168,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $115,644 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Long Beach. Childcare costs in Long Beach typically run $23K-$43K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Occupational Therapist in Long Beach?
On a $115,644 Occupational Therapist salary in Long Beach, CA, you take home approximately $83,293.134 per year ($6,941/month, $3,204 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $17,143.68, state $6,360.42, FICA $8,846.766. Effective tax rate: 28.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Occupational Therapists in Long Beach earn compared to the US average?
Occupational Therapists in Long Beach earn approximately 20% more than the US national median for this role ($96,370 nationally vs $115,644 in Long Beach). However, Long Beach's cost-of-living index of 153 means real purchasing power is approximately $75,584 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Occupational Therapist earn in Long Beach?
Entry-level Occupational Therapists in Long Beach typically start at around $90,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Occupational Therapists earn $132,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $150,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Occupational Therapist salaries in Long Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in Long Beach grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $17,522 in 2025 to $115,644 in 2026 (+$98,122). This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's compensation trend, driven by Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty demand.
What's the job outlook for Occupational Therapists in Long Beach?
OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. Long Beach's top industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Logistics (Port), and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Occupational Therapists in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Occupational Therapists are: Telehealth OT, Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT), Mental health OT, Geriatric care. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Long Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Occupational Therapists in Long Beach?
Top employers hiring Occupational Therapists in or near Long Beach 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 get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Occupational Therapist salary in Long Beach?
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 negotiations: 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 for: 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%).
How can I increase my Occupational Therapist salary in Long Beach?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Telehealth OT, Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT)) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., OTR/L (Registered/Licensed) or Pediatric specialty). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Occupational Therapist in Long Beach?
Master's or Doctorate (OTD/MOT) is the typical path. However, Long Beach's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Healthcare roles.

Methodology & Sources

Occupational Therapist salary figures for Long Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,370) by Long Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.20× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (560.0%) reflects the Healthcare sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Long Beach

Physical Therapist →Registered Nurse →Pharmacist →Physician →Nurse Practitioner →Dentist →

Occupational Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Los Angeles, CA$123KSan Diego, CA$114KSan Francisco, CA$149KFresno, CA$92KSacramento, CA$104KOakland, CA$135K

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