Occupational Therapist salary in Lake Charles, LA
Occupational Therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $83,840 a year ($40.31 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,410 for the top 10%. That is 16% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 15% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $98,490. 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 $86,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| 25th percentile | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Median | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| 75th percentile | $119,940 | $57.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,410 | $61.73 |
| Average (mean) | $86,580 | $41.63 |
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 | $6,986.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,493.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,224.62 |
| Weekly | $1,612.31 |
| Hourly | $40.31 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $102,520 | 390 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $99,250 | 150 |
| Monroe, LA | $98,980 | 130 |
| Alexandria, LA | $98,490 | 100 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $98,030 | 430 |
| Lafayette, LA | $85,710 | 150 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $84,690 | 180 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $82,720 | 120 |
| Hammond, LA | $81,190 | 70 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | $61.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dentists, General | $114,470 | $55.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,440 | $136.75 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $53,300 | $25.63 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,520 | $19.96 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, LA
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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $83,840 a year, or $40.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $128,410 a year. The top 25% earn $119,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,860 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $59,890 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 70 occupational therapists are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.