Occupational Therapist salary in Arkansas
Occupational Therapists in Arkansas earn a median of $106,360 a year ($51.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,250 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $100,330. Arkansas ranks 8th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 1.7 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,940, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,160 | $31.33 |
| 25th percentile | $81,810 | $39.33 |
| Median | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| 75th percentile | $128,220 | $61.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $144,250 | $69.35 |
| Average (mean) | $104,940 | $50.45 |
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 | $8,863.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,431.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,090.77 |
| Weekly | $2,045.38 |
| Hourly | $51.14 |
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 Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $107,830 | 450 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $106,360 | 140 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $106,060 | 70 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $104,680 | 760 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,960 | 420 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $97,740 | 140 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $82,410 | 100 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Physicians, All Other | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | $60.41 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | $65.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,760 | $41.71 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,870 | $35.51 |
| Dentists, General | $178,930 | $86.02 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,430 | $56.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Veterinarian | $107,710 | $51.79 |
| Therapists, All Other | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $262,470 | $126.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Arkansas is $106,360 a year, or $51.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $144,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Arkansas earn at least $144,250 a year. The top 25% earn $128,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,160 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $81,810 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Arkansas?
About 2,160 occupational therapists are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.