Occupational Therapist Salary in California
Median annual base pay is $116,800 across 58 reported Occupational Therapist salaries in California.
Median hourly rate is $56.00 per hour.
Updated 22 September 2026
Salary Distribution (By Percentile)
| P10 | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $89,440 | $101,670 | $116,800 | $137,280 | $143,200 |
Top Cities in California
| City | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $125,700 | 7 |
| Los Angeles | $124,100 | 8 |
| San Diego | $116,800 | 7 |
By Practice Setting
| Setting | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) / Long-Term Care | $116,480 | 19 |
| Hospital (Acute Care) | $113,485 | 13 |
Salary by Level
| Level | Common titles | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / Early Career | Occupational Therapist · Staff Occupational Therapist · Occupational Therapist I | $114,400 | 31 |
| Mid-Level | Occupational Therapist II · Assistant Professor · Occupational Therapist (GS-12) | — | 1 |
| Senior | Senior Occupational Therapist · Associate Professor · Senior Research Occupational Therapist | — | 1 |
| Lead / Expert | Lead Occupational Therapist · Certified Hand Therapist · Professor | — | 2 |
| Director | Practice Owner · Managing Partner · Director of Rehabilitation | — | 1 |
How They're Paid
| Model | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $116,480 | 30 |
| Annual Salary | $124,425 | 5 |
Occupational Therapist salaries in other states
Common questions
How much does a Occupational Therapist make in California?
The median Occupational Therapist salary in California is $116,800 per year, based on 58 reported salaries.
What is the hourly rate for a Occupational Therapist in California?
The median reported rate is $56.00 per hour.
Which city in California pays Occupational Therapists the most?
San Jose has the highest median at $125,700 per year, of the cities with enough reports to publish a median.
How much does a Occupational Therapist at the Junior / Early Career level make in California?
$114,400 per year at the median — $2,400 below the Occupational Therapist median in California.
Am I underpaid as a Occupational Therapist?
All Occupational Therapist salaries · Browse salaries by role