Occupational Therapists pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA), the median pay for occupational therapists is $58.50 an hour ($121,680 a year). About 1,620 people work in this job there.

$58.50Median hourly pay
$105,510–$130,410Middle half of workers, yearly
1,620People in this job in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

That is 21% higher than the U.S. median ($100,330). It is 2% lower than the California median ($124,510).

Pay range for occupational therapists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$44.61$92,790
25% of workers$50.73$105,510
Half of workers (median)$58.50$121,680
75% of workers$62.70$130,410
90% of workers$73.15$152,150

Occupational Therapists pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$136,870840
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$136,7701,560
Vallejo$135,000100
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$130,420100
Chico$129,26070
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$128,010130
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$125,890170
Napa$124,49040
Bakersfield-Delano$123,200170
Salinas$123,180110
Stockton-Lodi$122,990230
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$122,780810
Visalia$122,690140
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$122,0404,950
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (this page)$121,6801,620
Modesto$121,110170
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$120,570300
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$119,5301,110
Merced$117,97030
Fresno$116,690320
Redding$110,23070
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$110,170100
Yuba City$107,76030

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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Registered Nurses$139,520
Physicians, All Other$323,050
Physical Therapists$113,850
Rehabilitation Counselors$45,700
Pharmacists$165,130
Nurse Practitioners$163,860
Dentists, General$158,160
Speech-Language Pathologists$119,690

Other job titles for this job

Vocational Rehabilitation SpecialistVocational TrainerVisually Impaired TeacherAcute Care OtAssistive Technology TrainerCertified Hand TherapistCHTEarly Intervention Occupational TherapistHome Care Occupational TherapistHome Care OtHome Health Occupational TherapistIndependent Living Specialist

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Source: 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.