#9 in Best Health Care Jobs
#9 in Best Health Care Jobs
The median annual salary for occupational therapists was $81,910 in 2016, according to the BLS. The best-paid 10 percent in the profession made $119,720, while the lowest-paid 10 percent made $54,200.
The BLS projects 27,700 new jobs to open in the occupational therapy field by 2026. The profession is expected to grow by 21 percent, compared with 16 percent growth in health diagnosing and treating practitioner jobs overall.
The highest paid in the occupational therapist profession work in the metropolitan areas of McAllen, Texas, Peabody, Massachusetts, and Lubbock, Texas. The Waco, Texas area also pays well, as does the city of Las Vegas.
| McAllen, Texas | $118,380 |
| Peabody, Massachusetts | $114,640 |
| Lubbock, Texas | $110,710 |
| Waco, Texas | $110,220 |
| Las Vegas | $110,120 |
Top 5 Best Paying Cities for Occupational Therapists
The average salary of an occupational therapist working in McAllen, Texas is $118,380.
The average salary of an occupational therapist working in Peabody, Massachusetts is $114,640.
The average salary of an occupational therapist working in Lubbock, Texas is $110,710.
The average salary of an occupational therapist working in Waco, Texas is $110,220.
The average salary of an occupational therapist working in Las Vegas is $110,120.
The states and districts that pay occupational therapists the highest mean salary are Nevada ($101,870), Texas ($96,800), New Jersey ($91,660), Virginia ($91,450), and Connecticut ($89,340).
| Nevada | $101,870 |
| Texas | $96,800 |
| New Jersey | $91,660 |
| Virginia | $91,450 |
| Connecticut | $89,340 |
In addition to region and education, factors such as specialty, industry and employer have an effect on an occupational therapist’s salary. The top-paying places of employment with the highest average annual salaries for this career include management, scientific and technical consulting services ($98,680), other schools and instruction ($95,690), management of companies and enterprises ($94,530), home health care services ($94,160), and nursing care facilities ($90,230). While most occupational therapists worked full-time in 2016, approximately one in three worked part-time.
Q: How much do occupational therapists make an hour?
A: In 2016, occupational therapists made an average salary of $40.25 per hour.
Q: What is the salary for an occupational therapist in Florida?
A: Occupational therapists in Florida earned an average salary of $84,150 in 2016.
Occupational therapists earned an average annual wage of $83,730 in 2016. They have a comparable salary to physical therapists, who brought home an average of $87,220 in 2016. However, they make more than occupational therapy assistants ($59,530) and registered nurses ($72,180). They also earn considerably more than occupational therapy aides ($31,840).
Physical Therapist - Average Salary $87,220
A physical therapist works with patients who have been injured or otherwise affected physically. Physical therapists evaluate a patient's condition and medical records before planning and carrying out programs to improve mobility and lessen pain.
Registered Nurse - Average Salary $72,180
A registered nurse administers and coordinates a patient’s care, providing health care information to patients along the way.
Occupational Therapy Aide - Average Salary $31,840
Occupational therapy aides support occupational therapists in their work of helping people who are injured, ill or disabled learn or relearn how to accomplish the daily routines of life, from brushing teeth to putting on clothes.
Occupational Therapy Assistant - Average Salary $59,530
Occupational therapy assistants help people get back into the routine of living. The everyday tasks that most of us take for granted – getting dressed or brushing our teeth, for instance – are an occupational therapy assistant's crowning achievements.
Median Salary $59,010
Median Salary $85,400
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#9 in
