Occupational Therapist salary in Alabama
Occupational Therapists in Alabama earn a median of $94,050 a year ($45.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,500 workers.
Pay ranges from $76,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,870 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $100,330. Alabama ranks 38th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 0.71 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $95,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $76,670 | $36.86 |
| 25th percentile | $82,500 | $39.67 |
| Median | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| 75th percentile | $107,650 | $51.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,870 | $59.55 |
| Average (mean) | $95,760 | $46.04 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,837.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,918.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,617.31 |
| Weekly | $1,808.65 |
| Hourly | $45.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $100,760 | 60 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $97,600 | 40 |
| Decatur, AL | $97,460 | 30 |
| Birmingham, AL | $95,250 | 540 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $94,580 | 160 |
| Montgomery, AL | $93,910 | 90 |
| Huntsville, AL | $93,620 | 130 |
| Mobile, AL | $90,630 | 110 |
| Dothan, AL | $89,380 | 60 |
| Gadsden, AL | $87,620 | 80 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $84,630 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $272,610 | $131.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $190,300 | $91.49 |
| Veterinarian | $105,630 | $50.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Optometrist | $145,090 | $69.75 |
| Chiropractor | $80,990 | $38.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Alabama?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Alabama is $94,050 a year, or $45.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $76,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Alabama earn at least $123,870 a year. The top 25% earn $107,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $76,670 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $82,500 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Alabama?
About 1,500 occupational therapists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.