Occupational Therapists Salary in California

How much does a Occupational Therapists make in California?

Last updated: 2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$112,390
Median Annual Salary
$113,550
Mean Salary
$112,390
Median Salary
$54.03
Hourly Rate
12,470 people work as Occupational Therapists in California

About This Job: Occupational Therapists

Assess, plan, and organize rehabilitative programs that help build or restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to persons with disabilities or developmental delays. Use therapeutic techniques, adapt the individual's environment, teach skills, and modify specific tasks that present barriers to the individual.

Top Skills

Active Listening
4.12
Monitoring
4.12
Service Orientation
4.12
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Writing
4.0

Key Knowledge Areas

Therapy and Counseling
4.68
Psychology
4.55
Customer and Personal Service
4.27
English Language
4.26
Medicine and Dentistry
4.23
Typical Education: Master's Degree (86.4% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Occupational Therapists in California

Salaries for Occupational Therapists in California range from $79,900 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $148,760 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $98,740 and $129,030.

Median $112,390
P10: $79,900 P25: $98,740 P75: $129,030 P90: $148,760
10th
$79,900
25th
$98,740
Median
$112,390
75th
$129,030
90th
$148,760
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $79,900 $38.41 $6,658
25th Percentile $98,740 $47.47 $8,228
Median (50th) $112,390 $54.03 $9,365
75th Percentile $129,030 $62.03 $10,752
90th Percentile (Experienced) $148,760 $71.52 $12,396

Note: The mean (average) salary of $113,550 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

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What does this salary really buy? See Occupational Therapists salary in California adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Occupational Therapists take-home pay in California after taxes →

Occupational Therapists Salary by State

Compare Occupational Therapists pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Occupational Therapists make in California?
The median annual salary for a Occupational Therapists in California is $112,390 as of 2024. The average (mean) salary is $113,550.
What is the salary range for a Occupational Therapists in California?
Salaries for Occupational Therapists in California range from $79,900 at the 10th percentile to $148,760 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50%% earn between $98,740 and $129,030.
What is the starting salary for a Occupational Therapists in California?
Entry-level Occupational Therapists positions in California typically start around $79,900 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $98,740 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Occupational Therapists in California?
According to 2024 BLS data, approximately 12,470 people are employed as Occupational Therapists in California.
What is the hourly rate for a Occupational Therapists in California?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Occupational Therapists in California is approximately $54.03 per hour.

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2024 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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