Occupational Therapist salary in Tucson, AZ
Occupational Therapists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median of $100,920 a year ($48.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $80,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,060 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 3% lower than the Arizona statewide median of $103,660. There are 0.80 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $102,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Tucson, AZ
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| 25th percentile | $87,010 | $41.83 |
| Median | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| 75th percentile | $118,040 | $56.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,060 | $60.12 |
| Average (mean) | $102,340 | $49.20 |
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 | $8,410 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,205 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,881.54 |
| Weekly | $1,940.77 |
| Hourly | $48.52 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $105,060 | 2,070 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $104,420 | 70 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $104,000 | 40 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $103,070 | 50 |
| Yuma, AZ | $99,010 | 50 |
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 Arizona statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,110 | $45.25 |
| Pharmacist | $147,420 | $70.87 |
| Physicians, All Other | $357,070 | $171.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,340 | $62.18 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,320 | $37.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,740 | $46.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,450 | $45.89 |
| Dentists, General | $182,200 | $87.59 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $264,320 | $127.08 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $227,940 | $109.59 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,880 | $62.44 |
| Veterinarian | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $64,620 | $31.07 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tucson, AZ
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 Tucson, AZ?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $100,920 a year, or $48.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $80,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Tucson, AZ?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn at least $125,060 a year. The top 25% earn $118,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Tucson, AZ?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $80,550 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $87,010 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Tucson, AZ?
About 310 occupational therapists are employed in the Tucson, AZ metro area, not counting the self-employed.