Occupational Therapist Pay

Portland vs West Linn: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Portland, OR and West Linn, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, OR
$115,530
$55.55/hr
West Linn, OR
$109,564
$52.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORWest Linn, OR
Median Salary$115,530$109,564
Hourly Rate$55.55$52.67
Entry Level (P10)$88,106$76,321
25th Percentile$102,854$94,173
75th Percentile$132,525$127,652
Top Earner (P90)$135,740$142,143
Total Employed7307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($115,530) and West Linn ($109,564) occupational therapist salaries.PortlandWest LinnMedian Salary$115,530$109,564Entry Level (P10)$88,106$76,321Top Earner (P90)$135,740$142,143US Median $103,400

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to West Linn.

The salary gap between Portland and West Linn is $5,966 (5.45%). Portland's median is +11.73% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $47,634,West Linn spans $65,822. West Linn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapists.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$88,106
P25$102,854
Median$115,530
P75$132,525
P90 (Top)$135,740
West Linn
P10 (Entry)$76,321
P25$94,173
Median$109,564
P75$127,652
P90 (Top)$142,143

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($109,589 effective) pays 2.62% more than West Linn ($106,788 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $115,530
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $109,589
West Linn
Nominal: $109,564
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $106,788

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($115,530/year)
  • Larger job market (730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,589)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose West Linn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($142,143)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Portland grew 19.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.4% growth in West Linn over the same period.

Portland, OR

+19.5%

$93,820 (2019) → $112,100 (2025)

West Linn, OR

+11.4%

$95,453 (2024) → $106,311 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Portland or West Linn?

Portland has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $115,530/year, compared to West Linn at $109,564/year — a difference of $5,966 (5.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and West Linn?

Portland occupational therapists earn $55.55/hr while West Linn hygienists earn $52.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to West Linn as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and West Linn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $109,589, West Linn = $106,788), job availability (730 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Portland vs West Linn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $88,106 in Portland and $76,321 in West Linn. The Portland 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