Occupational Therapist Pay

Murray vs Salt Lake City: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Murray, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Murray, UT
$103,472
$49.75/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$103,039
$49.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurray, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$103,472$103,039
Hourly Rate$49.75$49.54
Entry Level (P10)$70,869$80,892
25th Percentile$82,019$87,993
75th Percentile$122,961$107,450
Top Earner (P90)$139,716$132,803
Total Employed7510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murray ($103,472) and Salt Lake City ($103,039) occupational therapist salaries.MurraySalt Lake CityMedian Salary$103,472$103,039Entry Level (P10)$70,869$80,892Top Earner (P90)$139,716$132,803US Median $103,400

Verdict

Murray, UT offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salt Lake City.

The salary gap between Murray and Salt Lake City is $433 (0.42%). Murray's median is +0.07% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Murray spans $68,847,Salt Lake City spans $51,911. Murray has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Murray
P10 (Entry)$70,869
P25$82,019
Median$103,472
P75$122,961
P90 (Top)$139,716
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$80,892
P25$87,993
Median$103,039
P75$107,450
P90 (Top)$132,803

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Murray ($105,476 effective) pays 3.25% more than Salt Lake City ($102,152 effective).

Murray
Nominal: $103,472
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $105,476
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $103,039
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $102,152

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Murray if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,472/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,716)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $105,476)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Larger job market (510 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Murray grew 25.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Murray, UT

+25.5%

$79,972 (2024) → $100,400 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+19.1%

$83,980 (2019) → $99,980 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Murray or Salt Lake City?

Murray has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $103,472/year, compared to Salt Lake City at $103,039/year — a difference of $433 (0.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murray and Salt Lake City?

Murray occupational therapists earn $49.75/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $49.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Murray to Salt Lake City as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murray and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murray = $105,476, Salt Lake City = $102,152), job availability (7 vs 510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Murray vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $70,869 in Murray and $80,892 in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City area offers higher starting salaries.
JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov