Occupational Therapist Pay

Sammamish vs Spokane: Occupational Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapist salaries between Sammamish, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sammamish, WA
$106,179
$51.05/hr
Spokane, WA
$102,318
$49.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSammamish, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$106,179$102,318
Hourly Rate$51.05$49.19
Entry Level (P10)$78,852$83,973
25th Percentile$86,520$89,209
75th Percentile$124,567$125,640
Top Earner (P90)$140,279$128,619
Total Employed11320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sammamish ($106,179) and Spokane ($102,318) occupational therapist salaries.SammamishSpokaneMedian Salary$106,179$102,318Entry Level (P10)$78,852$83,973Top Earner (P90)$140,279$128,619US Median $103,400

Verdict

Sammamish, WA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Sammamish and Spokane is $3,861 (3.77%). Sammamish's median is +2.69% compared to the US national median of $103,400.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sammamish spans $61,427,Spokane spans $44,646. Sammamish has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sammamish
P10 (Entry)$78,852
P25$86,520
Median$106,179
P75$124,567
P90 (Top)$140,279
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$83,973
P25$89,209
Median$102,318
P75$125,640
P90 (Top)$128,619

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($101,965 effective) pays 3.14% more than Sammamish ($98,863 effective).

Sammamish
Nominal: $106,179
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $98,863
Spokane
Nominal: $102,318
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $101,965

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sammamish if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,179/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($140,279)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,965)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapist salaries in Sammamish grew -0.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.6% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Sammamish, WA

+-0.2%

$103,253 (2024) → $103,026 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+31.6%

$75,440 (2019) → $99,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapists more: Sammamish or Spokane?

Sammamish has a higher median occupational therapist salary at $106,179/year, compared to Spokane at $102,318/year — a difference of $3,861 (3.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sammamish and Spokane?

Sammamish occupational therapists earn $51.05/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $49.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sammamish to Spokane as a occupational therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sammamish and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sammamish = $98,863, Spokane = $101,965), job availability (11 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapists earn in Sammamish vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapists earn $78,852 in Sammamish and $83,973 in Spokane. The Spokane area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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