Best States For an Occupational Therapist

  • Rank 1 - 10
  • 11 - 20
  • 21 - 30
  • 31 - 40
  • 41 - 51
Job opportunities vary from state to state, and healthcare practitioner and technical careers are no different. Because we know how difficult it can be to know which states are the best when it comes to occupational therapist jobs, we decided to crunch some numbers to bring you the best states for occupational therapists. Pay, benefits, and opportunities vary greatly by place, and it's no different for occupational therapists.We found that California is the best state in the nation for occupational therapists, and people in Monterey earn the most in the field.
We figured that the best places for occupational therapist jobs has three things everyone would agree on. There would be high annual wages, good career prospects (no matter what phase of the career you are in), and a lot of job opportunities. Our research put California at no. 1 on the list of best paying states for occupational therapists. Alaska, Nevada, and Hawaii also ranked high on our list.

Here Are the Best States for Occupational Therapists In 2023:

  1. 1. California

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		4,120
    Average Annual Salary:$105,738
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$78,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$142,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.13
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in California

  2. 2. Washington

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,052
    Average Annual Salary:$89,446
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$68,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$116,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.16
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Washington

  3. 3. Hawaii

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		142
    Average Annual Salary:$94,336
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$76,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$115,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.36
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Hawaii

  4. 4. Alaska

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		97
    Average Annual Salary:$98,525
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$80,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$120,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.93
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Alaska

  5. 5. Nevada

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		208
    Average Annual Salary:$95,125
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$70,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$128,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.8
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Nevada

  6. Are There Any Particularly Good Places In The United States For Therapists To Find Work Opportunities?

    Dr. Eva Moya Ph.D.

    Professor, The University of Texas

    Absolutely. Social Workers are well-positioned to work in multiple sectors at the local, state, national, and international levels. From health care, gerontology, safety net, mental health and substance abuse, child and family, education, immigration, and criminal justice sectors.

    Employment is usually based on the market, economics, needs, and value of social work. The place does matter.

    Social workers are in schools, courts, hospitals, community-based organizations, federally qualified health centers, mental health clinics, shelters, transitional living facilities, detention facilities, academic settings, prisons, industry, political arena, palliative care, hospice, research, international organizations, immigrant and migrant centers, elderly care facilities, protective services, the child welfare system, counseling centers, health and human service organizations, environmental and public health venues.     Show more

    6. Oregon

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		446
    Average Annual Salary:$92,211
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$70,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$120,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.86
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Oregon

  7. 7. Louisiana

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		396
    Average Annual Salary:$82,500
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$64,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$105,000
    Location Quotient:
    1
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Louisiana

  8. 8. Idaho

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		214
    Average Annual Salary:$78,066
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$102,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.05
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Idaho

  9. 9. Oklahoma

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		405
    Average Annual Salary:$75,222
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$58,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$96,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.06
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Oklahoma

  10. 10. Arizona

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		609
    Average Annual Salary:$82,202
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$60,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$111,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.84
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Arizona

  11. Occupational Therapist JobsNear Ashburn, VA

    11. Rhode Island

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		143
    Average Annual Salary:$77,832
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$60,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$99,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.94
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Rhode Island

  12. 12. Wisconsin

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		710
    Average Annual Salary:$74,823
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$94,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.03
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Wisconsin

  13. 13. Indiana

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,129
    Average Annual Salary:$70,802
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$89,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.38
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Indiana

  14. 14. Montana

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		163
    Average Annual Salary:$73,788
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$57,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$95,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.13
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Montana

  15. 15. New Hampshire

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		267
    Average Annual Salary:$73,089
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$56,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$93,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.23
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in New Hampshire

  16. 16. Iowa

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		531
    Average Annual Salary:$71,008
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$56,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$90,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.17
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Iowa

  17. 17. Colorado

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		848
    Average Annual Salary:$76,096
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$58,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$98,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.14
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Colorado

  18. 18. Tennessee

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		700
    Average Annual Salary:$73,937
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$58,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$93,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.96
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Tennessee

  19. 19. Texas

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		2,872
    Average Annual Salary:$72,237
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$93,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.14
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Texas

  20. 20. Wyoming

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		86
    Average Annual Salary:$71,018
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$54,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$91,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.15
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Wyoming

  21. Occupational Therapist Jobs In The Top 10 States

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    Find the best Occupational Therapist job for you

    21. New Jersey

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		990
    Average Annual Salary:$77,339
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$61,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$98,000
    Location Quotient:
    1
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in New Jersey

  22. 22. Virginia

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,139
    Average Annual Salary:$77,073
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$60,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$97,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.97
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Virginia

  23. 23. Arkansas

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		340
    Average Annual Salary:$70,601
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$89,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.04
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Arkansas

  24. 24. Ohio

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,134
    Average Annual Salary:$71,976
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$56,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$91,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.89
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Ohio

  25. 25. South Carolina

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		647
    Average Annual Salary:$70,116
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$88,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.16
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in South Carolina

  26. 26. Nebraska

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		366
    Average Annual Salary:$69,538
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$54,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$88,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.32
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Nebraska

  27. 27. Massachusetts

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		762
    Average Annual Salary:$77,732
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$60,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$99,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.67
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Massachusetts

  28. 28. Kansas

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		529
    Average Annual Salary:$68,542
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$87,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.4
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Kansas

  29. 29. Maryland

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		794
    Average Annual Salary:$75,468
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$95,000
    Location Quotient:
    1
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Maryland

  30. 30. District of Columbia

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		115
    Average Annual Salary:$85,854
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$67,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$108,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.55
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in District of Columbia

  31. 31. Utah

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		239
    Average Annual Salary:$73,396
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$96,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.6
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Utah

  32. 32. New Mexico

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		241
    Average Annual Salary:$71,432
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$94,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.99
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in New Mexico

  33. 33. Maine

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		203
    Average Annual Salary:$68,992
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$52,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$89,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.23
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Maine

  34. 34. West Virginia

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		235
    Average Annual Salary:$66,843
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$52,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$84,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.24
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in West Virginia

  35. 35. Pennsylvania

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,352
    Average Annual Salary:$69,889
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$88,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.93
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Pennsylvania

  36. 36. Georgia

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,510
    Average Annual Salary:$68,111
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$86,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.17
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Georgia

  37. 37. Illinois

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,712
    Average Annual Salary:$69,303
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$54,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$87,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.15
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Illinois

  38. 38. North Dakota

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		154
    Average Annual Salary:$64,816
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$51,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$81,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.33
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in North Dakota

  39. 39. New York

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,388
    Average Annual Salary:$72,340
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$56,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$91,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.87
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in New York

  40. 40. Connecticut

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		269
    Average Annual Salary:$72,671
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$57,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$92,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.65
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Connecticut

  41. 41. North Carolina

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,025
    Average Annual Salary:$69,228
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$54,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$87,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.86
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in North Carolina

  42. 42. Missouri

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		825
    Average Annual Salary:$67,618
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$85,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.13
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Missouri

  43. 43. Minnesota

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		532
    Average Annual Salary:$70,407
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$88,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.64
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Minnesota

  44. 44. South Dakota

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		137
    Average Annual Salary:$65,421
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$51,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$83,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.03
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in South Dakota

  45. 45. Vermont

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		178
    Average Annual Salary:$61,429
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$47,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$79,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.86
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Vermont

  46. 46. Mississippi

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		195
    Average Annual Salary:$67,542
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$85,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.74
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Mississippi

  47. 47. Delaware

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		157
    Average Annual Salary:$67,769
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$85,000
    Location Quotient:
    1
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Delaware

  48. 48. Kentucky

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		471
    Average Annual Salary:$64,160
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$50,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$81,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.03
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Kentucky

  49. 49. Florida

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		1,428
    Average Annual Salary:$68,039
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$53,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$86,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.73
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Florida

  50. 50. Alabama

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		553
    Average Annual Salary:$61,658
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$48,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$78,000
    Location Quotient:
    1.01
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Alabama

  51. 51. Michigan

    Total Occupational Therapist Jobs:
    		819
    Average Annual Salary:$64,386
    Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$50,000
    Highest 10 Percent Earn:$81,000
    Location Quotient:
    0.85
    Occupational Therapist Jobs in Michigan

How We Determined The Best States To Be An Occupational Therapist

You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.

Detailed List Of The Best States For An Occupational Therapist

RankStateAverage SalaryLowest 10% EarnPopulationJob Count
1California$105,738$78,00039,536,6534,120
2Washington$89,446$68,0007,405,7431,052
3Hawaii$94,336$76,0001,427,538142
4Alaska$98,525$80,000739,79597
5Nevada$95,125$70,0002,998,039208
6Oregon$92,211$70,0004,142,776446
7Louisiana$82,500$64,0004,684,333396
8Idaho$78,066$59,0001,716,943214
9Oklahoma$75,222$58,0003,930,864405
10Arizona$82,202$60,0007,016,270609
11Rhode Island$77,832$60,0001,059,639143
12Wisconsin$74,823$59,0005,795,483710
13Indiana$70,802$55,0006,666,8181,129
14Montana$73,788$57,0001,050,493163
15New Hampshire$73,089$56,0001,342,795267
16Iowa$71,008$56,0003,145,711531
17Colorado$76,096$58,0005,607,154848
18Tennessee$73,937$58,0006,715,984700
19Texas$72,237$55,00028,304,5962,872
20Wyoming$71,018$54,000579,31586
21New Jersey$77,339$61,0009,005,644990
22Virginia$77,073$60,0008,470,0201,139
23Arkansas$70,601$55,0003,004,279340
24Ohio$71,976$56,00011,658,6091,134
25South Carolina$70,116$55,0005,024,369647
26Nebraska$69,538$54,0001,920,076366
27Massachusetts$77,732$60,0006,859,819762
28Kansas$68,542$53,0002,913,123529
29Maryland$75,468$59,0006,052,177794
30District of Columbia$85,854$67,000693,972115
31Utah$73,396$55,0003,101,833239
32New Mexico$71,432$53,0002,088,070241
33Maine$68,992$52,0001,335,907203
34West Virginia$66,843$52,0001,815,857235
35Pennsylvania$69,889$55,00012,805,5371,352
36Georgia$68,111$53,00010,429,3791,510
37Illinois$69,303$54,00012,802,0231,712
38North Dakota$64,816$51,000755,393154
39New York$72,340$56,00019,849,3991,388
40Connecticut$72,671$57,0003,588,184269
41North Carolina$69,228$54,00010,273,4191,025
42Missouri$67,618$53,0006,113,532825
43Minnesota$70,407$55,0005,576,606532
44South Dakota$65,421$51,000869,666137
45Vermont$61,429$47,000623,657178
46Mississippi$67,542$53,0002,984,100195
47Delaware$67,769$53,000961,939157
48Kentucky$64,160$50,0004,454,189471
49Florida$68,039$53,00020,984,4001,428
50Alabama$61,658$48,0004,874,747553
51Michigan$64,386$50,0009,962,311819

Highest paying states for Occupational Therapists

RankStateAvg. Occupational Therapist Salary
1California$105,738
2Washington$89,446
3Hawaii$94,336
4Alaska$98,525
5Nevada$95,125
6Oregon$92,211
7Louisiana$82,500
8Idaho$78,066
9Oklahoma$75,222
10Arizona$82,202
11Rhode Island$77,832
12Wisconsin$74,823
13Indiana$70,802
14Montana$73,788
15New Hampshire$73,089
16Iowa$71,008
17Colorado$76,096
18Tennessee$73,937
19Texas$72,237
20Wyoming$71,018
21New Jersey$77,339
22Virginia$77,073
23Arkansas$70,601
24Ohio$71,976
25South Carolina$70,116
26Nebraska$69,538
27Massachusetts$77,732
28Kansas$68,542
29Maryland$75,468
30District of Columbia$85,854
31Utah$73,396
32New Mexico$71,432
33Maine$68,992
34West Virginia$66,843
35Pennsylvania$69,889
36Georgia$68,111
37Illinois$69,303
38North Dakota$64,816
39New York$72,340
40Connecticut$72,671
41North Carolina$69,228
42Missouri$67,618
43Minnesota$70,407
44South Dakota$65,421
45Vermont$61,429
46Mississippi$67,542
47Delaware$67,769
48Kentucky$64,160
49Florida$68,039
50Alabama$61,658
51Michigan$64,386
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Updated April 6, 2021