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2026 Salary Data — Tulsa, OK
Updated April 28, 2026

Occupational Therapist Salary in Tulsa: $85K Median

Occupational Therapists in Tulsa, OK earn between $62K and $110K per year.

That's -12% below the US national median of $96,370 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Occupational Therapist salary in Tulsa, OK is $84,806 per year — -12% below the US national median of $96,370. Salaries range from $61,600 (entry, 25th percentile) to $110,000 (90th percentile). Occupational Therapists in Tulsa earned approximately $12,849 in 2025, representing 560.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$84,806
+560.0% YoY · $7,067/mo
Entry
$66,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$96,800
5+ years
Top 10%
$110,000
Senior/lead
Occupational Therapist Salary — Tulsa vs Nearby
Tulsa
$85K
Oklahoma City
$85K
+0% vs Tulsa
El Paso
$82K
+4% vs Tulsa
Wichita
$82K
+4% vs Tulsa

Free ATS scan · Tulsa employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Occupational Therapists in Tulsa

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

Tulsa Job Market

Oil and aerospace hub with low cost of living and growing tech.

Population
411K
Cost of Living
86
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$215K

Top Industries in Tulsa

EnergyAerospaceHealthcareManufacturingTech

Top Employers Hiring Occupational Therapists

Major employers active in Tulsa 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 — Tulsa

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$61,600$84,806$110,000
Monthly$5,133$7,067$9,167
Weekly$1,185$1,631$2,115
Hourly$30$41$53

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($96,370) adjusted for Tulsa's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Occupational Therapist Take-Home Pay in Tulsa

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$64,990.811
Per month$5,416
Biweekly paycheck$2,500
Effective tax rate23.4%

Tax Breakdown on $84,806

Gross salary$84,806
Federal income tax−$10,359.32
Oklahoma state tax−$2,968.21
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,487.659
Take-home (net)$64,990.811

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 — Tulsa

Career-stage progression for Occupational Therapists in Tulsa.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$60,720
2–3 yr$66,000
4–6 yr$81,400
7–10 yr$96,800
11–15 yr$114,224
15+ yr$103,400

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Tulsa's 0.88× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+560.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$12,849
2026 median:$84,806
Change:+$71,957

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
$98,612
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Occupational Therapist Salary in Tulsa

Walk-away anchor: $77,096 (offers below this are below market for Tulsa).

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 $97K–$110K for experienced roles, citing Tulsa market data and your specific Telehealth OT/Pediatric specialty expertise.

Occupational Therapist Salary FAQ — Tulsa

What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in Tulsa, OK?
The average Occupational Therapist salary in Tulsa is $84,806 per year as of April 2026 — $7,067/month, $1,631/week, or about $41/hour. Salaries range from $61,600 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $110,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Tulsa's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×).
Is $84,806 a good Occupational Therapist salary in Tulsa?
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. Tulsa's cost-of-living index is 86 (vs 100 nationally), giving $84,806 a real purchasing power of approximately $98,612 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $84,806 in Tulsa?
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 Tulsa specifically (median home price $215,000), a $84,806 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $84,806 enough for a single person in Tulsa?
A single adult in Tulsa typically needs ~$38,700 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $84,806 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $84,806 enough for a couple in Tulsa?
A couple (one earner) in Tulsa typically needs ~$61,920 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $84,806 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $84,806 each ($169,612 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $84,806 enough for a family of 4 in Tulsa?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Tulsa typically needs ~$94,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $84,806 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 Tulsa. Childcare costs in Tulsa typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Occupational Therapist in Tulsa?
On a $84,806 Occupational Therapist salary in Tulsa, OK, you take home approximately $64,990.811 per year ($5,416/month, $2,500 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,359.32, state $2,968.21, FICA $6,487.659. Effective tax rate: 23.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Occupational Therapists in Tulsa earn compared to the US average?
Occupational Therapists in Tulsa earn approximately 12% less than the US national median for this role ($96,370 nationally vs $84,806 in Tulsa). However, Tulsa's cost-of-living index of 86 means real purchasing power is approximately $98,612 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Occupational Therapist earn in Tulsa?
Entry-level Occupational Therapists in Tulsa typically start at around $66,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Occupational Therapists earn $96,800 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $110,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Occupational Therapist salaries in Tulsa increase in 2026?
Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in Tulsa grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $12,849 in 2025 to $84,806 in 2026 (+$71,957). 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 Tulsa?
OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. Tulsa's top industries include Energy, Aerospace, Healthcare, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
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 Tulsa.
Who are the top employers hiring Occupational Therapists in Tulsa?
Top employers hiring Occupational Therapists in or near Tulsa 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 Tulsa?
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 Tulsa?
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 Tulsa?
Master's or Doctorate (OTD/MOT) is the typical path. However, Tulsa'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 Tulsa are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($96,370) by Tulsa's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× — 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 Tulsa

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

Occupational Therapist Salary in Other Cities

Jacksonville, FL$89KEl Paso, TX$82KMemphis, TN$85KOklahoma City, OK$85KLouisville, KY$88KAlbuquerque, NM$87KTucson, AZ$87KNew Orleans, LA$89K

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