Entry-Level Occupational Therapist Salary in Medford, OR: $67,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapists entering the Medford, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,061 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1122, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Medford's local price level (BEA RPP 101.4 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $66,114 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($103,905) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Salaries for entry-level occupational therapists in Medford, Oregon, are competitive, with 2026 projections suggesting a starting pay at approximately $67,061. This early-career remuneration positions new graduates well on the path to the area's median occupational therapist salary of $103,905. The gap between starting pay and the median can be bridged over the first few years; as early-career professionals gain experience, they can expect compensation to rise to around $97,670 at the 25th percentile and even higher as they establish themselves in the field. Given the growth trajectory of 3.06%, Medford presents a favorable market for new grads looking to begin their careers and achieve substantial salary increases within a few years.
Career Earnings Timeline in Medford
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
Entry-level occupational therapists in Medford, OR typically start between $67,061 and $97,670 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $62,485 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $103,905 — 0.49% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Oregon of $115,000 represents just 171.49% of the starting occupational therapist pay ($67,061/year) in Medford. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Master's and Doctoral occupational therapy programs. Tuition varies between public in-state and private institution programs; MOT programs typically run 2-3 years post-bachelor's.
OT, OTR Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Medford
- 1Research the Medford market: entry-level occupational therapist pay ranges from $67,061 to $97,670, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Medford, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Medford for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Medford's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapist Compensation Range
The occupational therapist wage spread in Medford is $62,485 ( 93.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,061, experienced hygienists can earn up to $129,546.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,370
2025 BLS Actual
$65,070
2026 Current Est.
$67,061
2019–2027 Growth
+1.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,113 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Medford, OR grew -4.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $68,370 in 2019 to $65,070 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,113. New graduates entering the Medford job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Medford
Medford hosts a variety of employers eager to hire new occupational therapy graduates. Hospital systems often provide residency programs aimed at facilitating specialization through certification, while school districts recruit entry-level therapists for summer-off contracts that bundle work experience with academic breaks. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) frequently pursue new graduates, although candidates should be prepared for productivity pressures common in these environments. To enhance starting pay and career advancement in Oregon, new occupational therapists should prioritize earning a Master's (MOT) or Doctorate (OTD) from an ACOTE-accredited program, pass the NBCOT national exam, and secure state licensure. Specialized certifications, such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), offer significant pay premiums and are highly sought after in this competitive market. With the shift to entry-level OTD degrees expected by 2027, building a strong foundation in the first one to three years through continued education and practical experience will be crucial for sustainable salary enhancement in this dynamic profession.
More salary data for Medford, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapists in Medford in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Medford. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov