Occupational Therapist Salary in Arkansas: $82K Median

The average Occupational Therapist salary in Arkansas is $81,915 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $59,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $106,250 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.

Occupational Therapists in Arkansas earn approximately 15% less than the US national median ($96,370 nationally vs $81,915 in Arkansas). Arkansas's cost-of-living index of 87 amplifies the real purchasing power.

Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in Arkansas grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $12,411 in 2025 to $81,915 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty demand.

Arkansas has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.

OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. Arkansas's top industries include Retail (Walmart HQ), Logistics (J.B. Hunt), Agriculture, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.

Yes, Arkansas has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $81,915, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.

Hottest 2026 skills: Telehealth OT, Pediatric specialty, Hand therapy (CHT), Mental health OT, Geriatric care. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Arkansas employers.

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? Beyond base, 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%). Walk-away anchor for Arkansas: $74,468.