Occupational Therapist salary in Virginia
Occupational Therapists in Virginia earn a median of $100,710 a year ($48.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,570 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $100,330. Virginia ranks 20th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay. There are 1.0 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,200 | $33.75 |
| 25th percentile | $83,740 | $40.26 |
| Median | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| 75th percentile | $118,740 | $57.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,570 | $64.70 |
| Average (mean) | $102,130 | $49.10 |
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 | $8,392.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,196.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,873.46 |
| Weekly | $1,936.73 |
| Hourly | $48.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winchester, VA-WV | $106,540 | 140 |
| Richmond, VA | $105,550 | 740 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $103,060 | 130 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,960 | 2,640 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $100,930 | 140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,400 | 830 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $98,800 | 50 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $98,780 | 50 |
| Roanoke, VA | $98,010 | 180 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $96,790 | 120 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $86,490 | 80 |
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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Pharmacist | $144,060 | $69.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,250 | $46.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | $65.36 |
| Dentists, General | $197,110 | $94.76 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $222,630 | $107.03 |
| Veterinarian | $126,730 | $60.93 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| Optometrist | $131,570 | $63.25 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for occupational therapists in Virginia is $100,710 a year, or $48.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Virginia?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in Virginia earn at least $134,570 a year. The top 25% earn $118,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,200 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $83,740 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Virginia?
About 4,150 occupational therapists are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.