2026 Salary — Texas
Updated April 29, 2026
Occupational Therapist Salary in Texas: $98K Median
Occupational Therapists in Texas earn between $71K and $128K per year.
That's +2% above the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Occupational Therapist salary in Texas is $98,297 per year — +2% above the US national median of $96,370. Salaries range from $71,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $127,500 (90th percentile). Texas's cost-of-living index is 93. Texas has no state income tax.
Median
$98,297
+560.0% YoY
Entry
$76,500
Experienced
$112,200
Top 10%
$127,500
About Occupational Therapists in Texas
Occupational therapists help patients perform daily activities through therapeutic interventions tailored to physical, cognitive, or developmental needs.
Hot 2026 Skills
Telehealth OTPediatric specialtyHand therapy (CHT)Mental health OTGeriatric care
ATS Keywords
OTR/Lpatient evaluationADL trainingpediatric OThand therapysensory integrationsplinting
Occupational Therapist Salary in Texas Metros
Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay calculator.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Houston | $101,189 |
| Dallas | $101,189 |
| Austin | $110,825 |
| San Antonio | $89,624 |
| Fort Worth | $98,297 |
| El Paso | $81,915 |
| Arlington | $96,370 |
How to Negotiate Your Occupational Therapist Salary in Texas
Walk-away anchor: $89,361.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Occupational Therapist Salary FAQ — Texas
What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in Texas?
The average Occupational Therapist salary in Texas is $98,297 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $71,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $127,500 (90th percentile). Texas has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Occupational Therapist pay in Texas compare to the US average?
Occupational Therapists in Texas earn approximately 2% more than the US national median ($96,370 nationally vs $98,297 in Texas). Texas's cost-of-living index of 93 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Occupational Therapist salaries in Texas increase in 2026?
Yes — Occupational Therapist salaries in Texas grew approximately 560.0% year-over-year, from $14,893 in 2025 to $98,297 in 2026. This reflects the broader Healthcare sector's wage growth, driven by Telehealth OT and Pediatric specialty demand.
Which Texas cities pay Occupational Therapists the most?
Top-paying Texas metros for Occupational Therapists: Houston ($101K), Dallas ($101K), Austin ($111K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Occupational Therapists in Texas?
OT roles growing 11%. Pediatric and hand therapy specialties highest demand. Texas's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Tech, Healthcare, and the state's unemployment rate is 4.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
Does Texas have state income tax?
No, Texas has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $98,297, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Occupational Therapists in 2026?
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 Texas employers.
How can I increase my Occupational Therapist salary in Texas?
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 Texas: $89,361.
Methodology
Texas Occupational Therapist salary is the BLS national median ($96,370) adjusted by Texas's state multiplier (1.02×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Occupational Therapist Salary in Other States
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