Occupational Therapist salary in Syracuse, NY
Occupational Therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $86,110 a year ($41.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,980 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 11% lower than the New York statewide median of $96,390. There are 1.6 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,830 | $31.17 |
| 25th percentile | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Median | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| 75th percentile | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,980 | $57.68 |
| Average (mean) | $89,860 | $43.20 |
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 | $7,175.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,587.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,311.92 |
| Weekly | $1,655.96 |
| Hourly | $41.40 |
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 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $85,990 | 550 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $85,920 | 240 |
| Elmira, NY | $83,190 | 40 |
| Rochester, NY | $81,750 | 740 |
| 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 Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,960 | $41.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,010 | $63.47 |
| Pharmacist | $149,510 | $71.88 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,080 | $44.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,000 | $63.94 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,640 | $45.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $286,920 | $137.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $85,120 | $40.93 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,860 | $41.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $269,270 | $129.46 |
| Dentists, General | $191,830 | $92.23 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $181,980 | $87.49 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,460 | $37.72 |
| Veterinarian | $124,400 | $59.81 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, 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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $86,110 a year, or $41.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $119,980 a year. The top 25% earn $106,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,830 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $73,990 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Syracuse, NY?
About 470 occupational therapists are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.