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Occupational Therapists Salary in California
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Occupational Therapists make in California?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$124,510
Median Annual Salary
▲
+4.2% vs 2024
$121,920
Mean Salary
$124,510
Median Salary
$59.86
Hourly Rate
13,810 people work as Occupational Therapists in California
Occupational Therapists salary by percentile in California
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Occupational Therapists in California earn a median salary of $124,510 per year ($10,375/month).
This is 26.1% above the national average of $98,754.
California ranks #1 out of 51 states for Occupational Therapists pay.
Approximately 13,810 people work in this occupation across California.
Salaries increased by 4.2% compared to 2024.
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)
Salary Range: Occupational Therapists in California
Salaries for Occupational Therapists in California range from $85,550 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $158,560 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $103,950 and $136,380.
How much do Occupational Therapists make in California?
The median annual salary for Occupational Therapists in California is $124,510 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $121,920.
What is the salary range for a Occupational Therapists in California?
Salaries for Occupational Therapists in California range from $85,550 at the 10th percentile to $158,560 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $103,950 and $136,380.
What is the starting salary for a Occupational Therapists in California?
Entry-level Occupational Therapists positions in California typically start around $85,550 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $103,950 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Occupational Therapists in California?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 13,810 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 $59.86 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 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.
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