Occupational Therapist salary in Salem, OR
Occupational Therapists in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $109,700 a year ($52.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $87,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,360 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 2% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $112,310. There are 0.75 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $109,330, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $87,540 | $42.09 |
| 25th percentile | $98,360 | $47.29 |
| Median | $109,700 | $52.74 |
| 75th percentile | $126,160 | $60.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,360 | $62.68 |
| Average (mean) | $109,330 | $52.56 |
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 | $9,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,570.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,219.23 |
| Weekly | $2,109.62 |
| Hourly | $52.74 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bend, OR | $114,870 | 100 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $112,100 | 730 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $107,980 | 120 |
| Medford, OR | $100,820 | 60 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $131,750 | $63.34 |
| Physicians, All Other | $373,970 | $179.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,600 | $78.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,050 | $57.24 |
| Pharmacist | $169,210 | $81.35 |
| Physician Assistant | $144,190 | $69.32 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,170 | $141.91 |
| Dentists, General | $212,310 | $102.07 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,360 | $50.18 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $102,360 | $49.21 |
| Veterinarian | $130,330 | $62.66 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $89,220 | $42.90 |
| Optometrist | $134,590 | $64.71 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Salem, OR metro area is $109,700 a year, or $52.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $87,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $130,360 a year. The top 25% earn $126,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $87,540 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $98,360 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Salem, OR?
About 140 occupational therapists are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.