Occupational Therapist salary in Pennsylvania
Occupational Therapists in Pennsylvania earn a median of $98,440 a year ($47.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,790 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pennsylvania ranks 28th 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 $98,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,120 | $33.23 |
| 25th percentile | $81,880 | $39.37 |
| Median | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| 75th percentile | $112,320 | $54.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,790 | $61.92 |
| Average (mean) | $98,460 | $47.34 |
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 | $8,203.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,101.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,786.15 |
| Weekly | $1,893.08 |
| Hourly | $47.33 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg, PA | $107,880 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $103,140 | 3,410 |
| Lancaster, PA | $102,460 | 240 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $99,180 | 160 |
| Lebanon, PA | $98,860 | 40 |
| Williamsport, PA | $98,580 | 70 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $98,440 | 470 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $98,240 | 430 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $97,020 | 70 |
| Reading, PA | $95,470 | 170 |
| State College, PA | $94,940 | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $93,750 | 330 |
| Erie, PA | $93,560 | 120 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $90,860 | 1,170 |
| Altoona, PA | $86,900 | 110 |
| Johnstown, PA | $84,150 | 90 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,430 | $46.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $217,310 | $104.48 |
| Pharmacist | $138,160 | $66.42 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,380 | $48.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,140 | $62.57 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,070 | $61.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $80,610 | $38.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $92,960 | $44.69 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| Dentists, General | $163,390 | $78.56 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,410 | $32.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $306,030 | $147.13 |
| Veterinarian | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $221,530 | $106.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Pennsylvania is $98,440 a year, or $47.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Pennsylvania earn at least $128,790 a year. The top 25% earn $112,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,120 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $81,880 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Pennsylvania?
About 6,560 occupational therapists are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.