Occupational Therapist salary in Rochester, NY
Occupational Therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $81,750 a year ($39.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,810 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 15% lower than the New York statewide median of $96,390. There are 1.5 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,940 | $27.85 |
| 25th percentile | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Median | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| 75th percentile | $99,140 | $47.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,810 | $52.79 |
| Average (mean) | $84,190 | $40.48 |
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 | $6,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,406.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,144.23 |
| Weekly | $1,572.12 |
| Hourly | $39.30 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ithaca, NY | $102,910 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $101,460 | 11,640 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $97,720 | 410 |
| Kingston, NY | $95,200 | 70 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $95,110 | 60 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $89,720 | 80 |
| Binghamton, NY | $86,390 | 180 |
| Syracuse, NY | $86,110 | 470 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $85,990 | 550 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $85,920 | 240 |
| Elmira, NY | $83,190 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $81,560 | 970 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,570 | $41.62 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,110 | $61.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $130,430 | $62.71 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,070 | $39.94 |
| Pharmacist | $136,310 | $65.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $80,220 | $38.57 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $214,550 | $103.15 |
| Dentists, General | $167,480 | $80.52 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $78,990 | $37.98 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| Anesthesiologist | $366,040 | $175.98 |
| Veterinarian | $127,580 | $61.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area is $81,750 a year, or $39.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $109,810 a year. The top 25% earn $99,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,940 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $65,940 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Rochester, NY?
About 740 occupational therapists are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.