Occupational Therapists
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Occupational Therapists in the United States earn a median salary of $100,330 per year — about $48 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 160K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +14%.
AI & Automation Risk
Occupational therapy is a highly physical and interpersonal profession that requires real-time observation, manual manipulation of patients, and the assessment of physical environments like homes and workplaces. While AI can assist with peripheral tasks such as treatment planning, progress documentation, and medical history analysis, the core of the job involves hands-on rehabilitation and emotional support that cannot be replicated digitally.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico, CABEST VALUE | $129,260 | Average (101.2) | $127,731 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $106,060 | Below avg (84.0) | $126,244 |
| Longview, TX | $112,760 | Below avg (89.5) | $126,010 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $122,050 | Average (98.1) | $124,457 |
| Vallejo, CA | $135,000 | Above avg (108.5) | $124,448 |
| Dalton, GA | $111,580 | Below avg (89.8) | $124,193 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,870 | Above avg (110.4) | $123,951 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $106,360 | Below avg (85.9) | $123,853 |
| Visalia, CA | $122,690 | Average (99.8) | $122,905 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $111,540 | Below avg (91.1) | $122,503 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $123,200 | Average (100.9) | $122,118 |
| Tulsa, OK | $108,350 | Below avg (89.2) | $121,450 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $108,630 | Below avg (90.2) | $120,416 |
| Merced, CA | $117,970 | Average (98.3) | $120,041 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $128,010 | Above avg (107.8) | $118,765 |