Best cities for an occupational therapist
The best cities for occupational therapists are Henderson, NV, Stockton, CA, and Fresno, CA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for occupational therapists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for occupational therapists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as an occupational therapist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for occupational therapists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for occupational therapists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as an occupational therapist. While the absolute best city for occupational therapists is Henderson, NV, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for occupational therapists in 2024.
If you're looking for an occupational therapist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for occupational therapists in 2026
1. Henderson, NV
Occupational therapist jobs in HendersonTotal occupational therapist jobs: 23 Average annual salary: $95,320 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 1.01 2. Stockton, CA
Occupational therapist jobs in StocktonTotal occupational therapist jobs: 83 Average annual salary: $107,329 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 2.84 3. Fresno, CA
Occupational therapist jobs in FresnoTotal occupational therapist jobs: 142 Average annual salary: $107,121 Lowest 10 percent warn: $79,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 3.08 4. North Las Vegas, NV
Occupational therapist jobs in North Las VegasTotal occupational therapist jobs: 7 Average annual salary: $95,235 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.78 5. Bakersfield, CA
Occupational therapist jobs in BakersfieldTotal occupational therapist jobs: 78 Average annual salary: $106,774 Lowest 10 percent warn: $78,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 2.10 6. Anchorage, AK
Occupational therapist jobs in AnchorageTotal occupational therapist jobs: 32 Average annual salary: $99,016 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000 Location quotient: 0.77 7. Las Vegas, NV
Occupational therapist jobs in Las VegasTotal occupational therapist jobs: 138 Average annual salary: $95,402 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.71 8. Oakland, CA
Occupational therapist jobs in OaklandTotal occupational therapist jobs: 60 Average annual salary: $108,182 Lowest 10 percent warn: $80,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $145,000 Location quotient: 0.76 9. Reno, NV
Occupational therapist jobs in RenoTotal occupational therapist jobs: 39 Average annual salary: $94,556 Lowest 10 percent warn: $70,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000 Location quotient: 0.63 10. Mesa, AZ
Occupational therapist jobs in MesaTotal occupational therapist jobs: 31 Average annual salary: $82,093 Lowest 10 percent warn: $60,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $111,000 Location quotient: 0.80
Choose from 10+ customizable occupational therapist resume templates
Choose from a variety of easy-to-use occupational therapist resume templates and get expert advice from Zippia’s AI resume writer along the way. Using pre-approved templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your occupational therapist resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.
Best cities for occupational therapists
- Henderson, NV
- Stockton, CA
- Fresno, CA
- North Las Vegas, NV
- Bakersfield, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Las Vegas, NV
- Oakland, CA
- Reno, NV
- Mesa, AZ
- (23 occupational therapist jobs)
- (83 occupational therapist jobs)
- (142 occupational therapist jobs)
- (7 occupational therapist jobs)
- (78 occupational therapist jobs)
- (32 occupational therapist jobs)
- (138 occupational therapist jobs)
- (60 occupational therapist jobs)
- (39 occupational therapist jobs)
- (31 occupational therapist jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for an occupational therapist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henderson, NV | $95,320 | $70,000 | 292,969 | 23 |
| 2 | Stockton, CA | $107,329 | $79,000 | 307,072 | 83 |
| 3 | Fresno, CA | $107,121 | $79,000 | 522,053 | 142 |
| 4 | North Las Vegas, NV | $95,235 | $70,000 | 238,702 | 7 |
| 5 | Bakersfield, CA | $106,774 | $78,000 | 376,380 | 78 |
| 6 | Anchorage, AK | $99,016 | $80,000 | 298,192 | 32 |
| 7 | Las Vegas, NV | $95,402 | $70,000 | 632,912 | 138 |
| 8 | Oakland, CA | $108,182 | $80,000 | 420,005 | 60 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $94,556 | $70,000 | 245,255 | 39 |
| 10 | Mesa, AZ | $82,093 | $60,000 | 484,587 | 31 |
| 11 | Glendale, AZ | $82,672 | $61,000 | 245,895 | 19 |
| 12 | Corpus Christi, TX | $72,841 | $55,000 | 325,733 | 28 |
| 13 | Lubbock, TX | $72,667 | $55,000 | 252,506 | 37 |
| 14 | Los Angeles, CA | $105,503 | $77,000 | 3,976,322 | 165 |
| 15 | Tucson, AZ | $80,437 | $59,000 | 530,706 | 116 |
| 16 | Fort Wayne, IN | $70,825 | $55,000 | 264,488 | 37 |
| 17 | Sacramento, CA | $106,775 | $79,000 | 495,234 | 90 |
| 18 | Laredo, TX | $73,252 | $56,000 | 257,156 | 12 |
| 19 | Arlington, TX | $71,523 | $55,000 | 392,772 | 54 |
| 20 | Riverside, CA | $104,709 | $77,000 | 324,722 | 22 |
| 21 | Long Beach, CA | $105,019 | $77,000 | 470,130 | 20 |
| 22 | El Paso, TX | $75,189 | $56,000 | 683,080 | 32 |
| 23 | Santa Ana, CA | $104,762 | $77,000 | 334,217 | 15 |
| 24 | Portland, OR | $92,075 | $70,000 | 639,863 | 107 |
| 25 | Albuquerque, NM | $71,753 | $53,000 | 559,277 | 86 |
| 26 | Fremont, CA | $108,162 | $80,000 | 233,136 | 57 |
| 27 | Anaheim, CA | $104,930 | $77,000 | 351,043 | 15 |
| 28 | New Orleans, LA | $82,471 | $64,000 | 391,495 | 32 |
| 29 | Gilbert, AZ | $81,983 | $60,000 | 237,133 | 8 |
| 30 | San Antonio, TX | $72,954 | $55,000 | 1,492,510 | 140 |
| 31 | San Jose, CA | $108,246 | $80,000 | 1,025,350 | 183 |
| 32 | Fort Worth, TX | $71,551 | $55,000 | 854,113 | 92 |
| 33 | Philadelphia, PA | $70,032 | $55,000 | 1,567,872 | 183 |
| 34 | Garland, TX | $71,383 | $55,000 | 234,943 | 9 |
| 35 | Tulsa, OK | $75,201 | $58,000 | 403,090 | 30 |
| 36 | Chula Vista, CA | $102,143 | $75,000 | 267,172 | 4 |
| 37 | Toledo, OH | $71,860 | $56,000 | 278,508 | 13 |
| 38 | Virginia Beach, VA | $77,172 | $60,000 | 452,602 | 40 |
| 39 | Winston-Salem, NC | $69,215 | $54,000 | 242,203 | 27 |
| 40 | Chandler, AZ | $82,048 | $60,000 | 247,477 | 23 |
| 41 | Wichita, KS | $68,519 | $53,000 | 389,902 | 37 |
| 42 | San Francisco, CA | $108,332 | $80,000 | 870,887 | 116 |
| 43 | San Diego, CA | $102,533 | $75,000 | 1,406,630 | 131 |
| 44 | Oklahoma City, OK | $75,307 | $58,000 | 638,367 | 54 |
| 45 | Scottsdale, AZ | $82,635 | $60,000 | 246,645 | 21 |
| 46 | Islip, NY | $72,434 | $56,000 | 335,543 | 1 |
| 47 | Cincinnati, OH | $71,911 | $56,000 | 298,800 | 55 |
| 48 | Aurora, CO | $76,025 | $58,000 | 361,710 | 86 |
| 49 | Indianapolis, IN | $70,820 | $55,000 | 855,164 | 99 |
| 50 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $68,331 | $53,000 | 260,999 | 48 |
Highest paying cities for occupational therapists
| Rank | City | Avg. occupational therapist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salinas, CA | $108,453 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $95,402 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $92,075 |
| 4 | Vancouver, WA | $90,031 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $85,893 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $82,646 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $77,848 |
| 8 | Jersey City, NJ | $77,309 |
| 9 | Arlington, VA | $77,114 |
| 10 | Colorado Springs, CO | $76,138 |
| 11 | Baltimore, MD | $75,539 |
| 12 | Oklahoma City, OK | $75,307 |
| 13 | Concord, NH | $72,971 |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $72,954 |
| 15 | New York, NY | $72,296 |
| 16 | Columbus, OH | $71,983 |
| 17 | Albuquerque, NM | $71,753 |
| 18 | Indianapolis, IN | $70,820 |
| 19 | Austin, MN | $70,382 |
| 20 | Philadelphia, PA | $70,032 |
Occupational therapist best cities FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common healthcare practitioner and technical questions.
Search for occupational therapist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025