Occupational Therapist salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Occupational Therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $97,740 a year ($46.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,070 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 8% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $106,360. There are 1.4 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $95,540, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 25th percentile | $79,620 | $38.28 |
| Median | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| 75th percentile | $118,350 | $56.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,070 | $63.97 |
| Average (mean) | $95,540 | $45.93 |
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 | $8,145 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,072.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,759.23 |
| Weekly | $1,879.62 |
| Hourly | $46.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $108,350 | 370 |
| 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 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $103,080 | 530 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $99,960 | 420 |
| Lawton, OK | $98,940 | 30 |
| 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 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,130 | $124.10 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Dentists, General | $165,060 | $79.36 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $119,840 | $57.61 |
| Therapists, All Other | $70,520 | $33.90 |
| Optometrist | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Veterinarian | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,880 | $26.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $97,740 a year, or $46.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $133,070 a year. The top 25% earn $118,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,330 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $79,620 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 140 occupational therapists are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.