Occupational Therapists pay in California
In California, the median pay for occupational therapists is $59.86 an hour ($124,510 a year). About 13,810 people work in this job there.
That is 24% higher than the U.S. median ($100,330). California ranks 1st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for occupational therapists in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $41.13 | $85,550 |
| 25% of workers | $49.98 | $103,950 |
| Half of workers (median) | $59.86 | $124,510 |
| 75% of workers | $65.57 | $136,380 |
| 90% of workers | $76.23 | $158,560 |
Occupational Therapists pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $136,870 | 840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $136,770 | 1,560 |
| Vallejo | $135,000 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $130,420 | 100 |
| Chico | $129,260 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $128,010 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $125,890 | 170 |
| Napa | $124,490 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $123,200 | 170 |
| Salinas | $123,180 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $122,990 | 230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $122,780 | 810 |
| Visalia | $122,690 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $122,040 | 4,950 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $121,680 | 1,620 |
| Modesto | $121,110 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $120,570 | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $119,530 | 1,110 |
| Merced | $117,970 | 30 |
| Fresno | $116,690 | 320 |
| Redding | $110,230 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $110,170 | 100 |
| Yuba City | $107,760 | 30 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for occupational therapists
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +14.8% over ten years, much faster than average · about 10,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
| Physical Therapists | $124,190 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $49,140 |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | $44,480 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | $83,110 |
| Physical Therapist Aides | $38,330 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistants | $81,770 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.