Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Mobile, AL: $44.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Mobile, AL runs $44.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,403 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Mobile's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,039 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Mobile, Alabama, the occupational therapist hourly pay is set at a median rate of $44.90 as of 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.71, highlighting regional disparities in pay. Such an hourly rate allows for various employment arrangements including part-time positions, which may typically span three days a week. For those working in settings such as hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, school therapy rooms, and outpatient clinics, this pay means earning about $3,592 for a 24-hour work week—which can provide a viable income for those seeking flexibility. When considering entry-level roles, pay can start around $38.48, while top earners can bring in as much as $60.88 per hour. These statistics are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, which provides essential insights into occupational therapy compensation trends in Mobile.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.48 | $307.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.34 | $322.70 |
| Median (P50) | $44.90 | $359.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.56 | $404.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.88 | $487.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mobile
Based on $44.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.90/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mobile, AL can expect to earn approximately $93,399 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,884. With a cost-of-living index of 88.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mobile.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mobile
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,796.13 | $7,783 | $93,399 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,077.68 | $4,670 | $56,039 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $718.45 | $3,113 | $37,359 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Mobile) | $44.90 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist (National Avg) | $43.80 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapists in Mobile, AL earn a median of $93,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.67% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 3.30% below the Alabama state average of $96,591.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.90/hr = $56,039/year (purchasing power: $63,610).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,399/year (purchasing power: $106,017).
CoL index: 88.098 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Mobile (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $45.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Mobile grew 3.7% from $42.00/hr (2019) to $43.57/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.28/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mobile 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.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapist in Mobile
Occupational therapists in Mobile can explore diverse earning potentials, especially for part-time positions. A therapist working three days a week at 24 hours total may take home approximately $55,104 annually, which is considerably less than a full-time salary. For those seeking flexibility, per diem roles can be lucrative, with standard billing rates ranging from $50 to $75 per hour. Moreover, Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) can command higher fees, reaching $80 to $110 per hour in cash-pay practices, while travel contracts tend to yield weekly pay between $1,800 and $2,800. However, compensation can differ significantly across employer types—such as skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school districts—which often influence the balance between higher hourly rates and benefits like health insurance. Many therapists must weigh the trade-off of accepting lower hourly compensation in exchange for job security and insurance benefits. Negotiation strategies are crucial in this environment, with a focus on understanding local pay scales to secure fair compensation reflective of the occupational therapist hourly rate in AL.
More salary data for Mobile, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Mobile in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Mobile?
Are occupational therapists in Mobile paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Mobile?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Mobile?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapists in Mobile. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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