Occupational Therapist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Occupational Therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $95,770 a year ($46.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,460 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 2% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $97,290. There are 1.4 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,910, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,720 | $35.44 |
| 25th percentile | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| Median | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| 75th percentile | $104,930 | $50.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,460 | $56.47 |
| Average (mean) | $93,910 | $45.15 |
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 | $7,980.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,990.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,683.46 |
| Weekly | $1,841.73 |
| Hourly | $46.04 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $102,810 | 100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $99,860 | 5,960 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $99,840 | 1,360 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $98,990 | 70 |
| Columbia, MO | $98,550 | 160 |
| Springfield, MO | $97,200 | 270 |
| Peoria, IL | $96,920 | 190 |
| Rockford, IL | $96,620 | 130 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $95,110 | 50 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $94,250 | 50 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $93,410 | 70 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $92,640 | 60 |
| Bloomington, IL | $90,060 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $87,390 | 170 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $80,040 | 120 |
| Kankakee, IL | $79,620 | 40 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Veterinarian | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,300 | $111.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $95,770 a year, or $46.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $117,460 a year. The top 25% earn $104,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,720 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $81,230 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 1,860 occupational therapists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.