Occupational Therapist salary in California
Occupational Therapists in California earn a median of $124,510 a year ($59.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $85,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,560 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $100,330. California ranks 1st of 51 states for occupational therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.76 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $121,920, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $85,550 | $41.13 |
| 25th percentile | $103,950 | $49.98 |
| Median | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| 75th percentile | $136,380 | $65.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,560 | $76.23 |
| Average (mean) | $121,920 | $58.61 |
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 | $10,375.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,187.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,788.85 |
| Weekly | $2,394.42 |
| Hourly | $59.86 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,870 | 840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,770 | 1,560 |
| Vallejo, CA | $135,000 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $130,420 | 100 |
| Chico, CA | $129,260 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $128,010 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $125,890 | 170 |
| Napa, CA | $124,490 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $123,200 | 170 |
| Salinas, CA | $123,180 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $122,990 | 230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,780 | 810 |
| Visalia, CA | $122,690 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,040 | 4,950 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $121,680 | 1,620 |
| Modesto, CA | $121,110 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $120,570 | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $119,530 | 1,110 |
| Merced, CA | $117,970 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $116,690 | 320 |
| Redding, CA | $110,230 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $110,170 | 100 |
| Yuba City, CA | $107,760 | 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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for occupational therapists in California is $124,510 a year, or $59.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $85,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in California?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in California earn at least $158,560 a year. The top 25% earn $136,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $85,550 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $103,950 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in California?
About 13,810 occupational therapists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.