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2026 Salary Data — San Antonio, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Occupational Therapist Salary in San Antonio: $90K Median

Occupational Therapists in San Antonio, TX earn between $65K and $116K per year.

That's -7% below the US national median of $96,370 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Occupational Therapist salary in San Antonio, TX is $89,624 per year — -7% below the US national median of $96,370. Salaries range from $65,100 (entry, 25th percentile) to $116,250 (90th percentile). Occupational Therapists in San Antonio earned approximately $13,579 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$89,624
+560.0% YoY · $7,469/mo
Entry
$69,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$102,300
5+ years
Top 10%
$116,250
Senior/lead
Occupational Therapist Salary — San Antonio vs Nearby
San Antonio
$90K
Houston
$101K
-11% vs San Antonio
Dallas
$101K
-11% vs San Antonio
Austin
$111K
-19% vs San Antonio

Free ATS scan · San Antonio employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Occupational Therapists in San Antonio

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

San Antonio Job Market

Military and healthcare hub with growing cybersecurity sector.

Population
1547K
Cost of Living
91
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.2%
Median Home
$295K

Top Industries in San Antonio

Military/DefenseHealthcareTourismManufacturingCybersecurity

Top Employers Hiring Occupational Therapists

Major employers active in San Antonio 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 — San Antonio

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$65,100$89,624$116,250
Monthly$5,425$7,469$9,688
Weekly$1,252$1,724$2,236
Hourly$31$43$56

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,370) adjusted for San Antonio's cost-of-living multiplier (0.93×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Occupational Therapist Take-Home Pay in San Antonio

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$71,348.484
Per month$5,946
Biweekly paycheck$2,744
Effective tax rate20.4%

Tax Breakdown on $89,624

Gross salary$89,624
Federal income tax−$11,419.28
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,856.236
Take-home (net)$71,348.484

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 — San Antonio

Career-stage progression for Occupational Therapists in San Antonio.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$64,170
2–3 yr$69,750
4–6 yr$86,025
7–10 yr$102,300
11–15 yr$120,714
15+ yr$109,275

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for San Antonio's 0.93× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$13,579
2026 median:$89,624
Change:+$76,045

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
$98,488
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Occupational Therapist Salary in San Antonio

Walk-away anchor: $81,476 (offers below this are below market for San Antonio).

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 $102K–$116K for experienced roles, citing San Antonio market data and your specific Telehealth OT/Pediatric specialty expertise.

Occupational Therapist Salary FAQ — San Antonio

What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in San Antonio, TX?
The average Occupational Therapist salary in San Antonio is $89,624 per year as of April 2026 — $7,469/month, $1,724/week, or about $43/hour. Salaries range from $65,100 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $116,250 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for San Antonio's cost-of-living multiplier (0.93×).
Is $89,624 a good Occupational Therapist salary in San Antonio?
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. San Antonio's cost-of-living index is 91 (vs 100 nationally), giving $89,624 a real purchasing power of approximately $98,488 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $89,624 in San Antonio?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For San Antonio specifically (median home price $295,000), a $89,624 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $89,624 enough for a single person in San Antonio?
A single adult in San Antonio typically needs ~$40,950 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $89,624 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $89,624 enough for a couple in San Antonio?
A couple (one earner) in San Antonio typically needs ~$65,520 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $89,624 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $89,624 each ($179,248 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $89,624 enough for a family of 4 in San Antonio?
A family of 4 (one earner) in San Antonio typically needs ~$100,100 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $89,624 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 San Antonio. Childcare costs in San Antonio typically run $14K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Occupational Therapist in San Antonio?
On a $89,624 Occupational Therapist salary in San Antonio, TX, you take home approximately $71,348.484 per year ($5,946/month, $2,744 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,419.28, state $0, FICA $6,856.236. Effective tax rate: 20.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Occupational Therapists in San Antonio earn compared to the US average?
Occupational Therapists in San Antonio earn approximately 7% less than the US national median for this role ($96,370 nationally vs $89,624 in San Antonio). However, San Antonio's cost-of-living index of 91 means real purchasing power is approximately $98,488 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Occupational Therapist earn in San Antonio?
Entry-level Occupational Therapists in San Antonio typically start at around $69,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Occupational Therapists earn $102,300 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $116,250+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Occupational Therapist salaries in San Antonio increase in 2026?
Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in San Antonio grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $13,579 in 2025 to $89,624 in 2026 (+$76,045). 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 San Antonio?
OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. San Antonio's top industries include Military/Defense, Healthcare, Tourism, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.2% — 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 San Antonio.
Who are the top employers hiring Occupational Therapists in San Antonio?
Top employers hiring Occupational Therapists in or near San Antonio 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 San Antonio?
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 San Antonio?
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 San Antonio?
Master's or Doctorate (OTD/MOT) is the typical path. However, San Antonio'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 San Antonio are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,370) by San Antonio's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.93× — 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 San Antonio

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

Occupational Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Houston, TX$101KDallas, TX$101KAustin, TX$111KJacksonville, FL$89KFort Worth, TX$98KColumbus, OH$93KIndianapolis, IN$90KEl Paso, TX$82K

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