Occupational Therapist salary in Louisiana
Occupational Therapists in Louisiana earn a median of $98,490 a year ($47.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,630 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,330. Louisiana ranks 27th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 1.1 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $92,940, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| 25th percentile | $72,350 | $34.78 |
| Median | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| 75th percentile | $107,880 | $51.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,630 | $60.88 |
| Average (mean) | $92,940 | $44.68 |
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 | $8,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,103.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,788.08 |
| Weekly | $1,894.04 |
| Hourly | $47.35 |
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 Louisiana
| 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 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $83,840 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Pharmacist | $132,410 | $63.66 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,600 | $60.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $350,920 | $168.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dental Hygienist | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $75,240 | $36.17 |
| Dentists, General | $170,750 | $82.09 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,870 | $61.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,330 | $122.75 |
| Veterinarian | $124,370 | $59.79 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $222,130 | $106.80 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,460 | $33.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Louisiana is $98,490 a year, or $47.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Louisiana earn at least $126,630 a year. The top 25% earn $107,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,070 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $72,350 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Louisiana?
About 2,060 occupational therapists are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.