Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Queen Creek, AZ: $50.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Queen Creek, AZ runs $50.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,860 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Queen Creek's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,512 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Queen Creek, Arizona, the projected median hourly pay for occupational therapists is set at $50.89, which is slightly above the national median of $49.71. This favorable hourly rate enables occupational therapists to find viable opportunities, whether they are seeking part-time roles working three days a week or engaging in per-diem positions across various therapeutic settings. Many of these professionals operate within hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, school therapy rooms, or outpatient hand therapy clinics, making the hourly rate a crucial consideration for their livelihoods. With an hourly range from $34.64 at the 10th percentile to $65.14 at the 90th percentile, occupational therapists in Queen Creek have the potential to earn significantly based on their experience and specialization, especially for those with advanced credentials like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation.
About the Queen Creek Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.64 | $277.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.26 | $346.12 |
| Median (P50) | $50.89 | $407.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.46 | $467.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.14 | $521.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Queen Creek
Based on $50.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.89/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Queen Creek, AZ can expect to earn approximately $105,853 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,069. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Queen Creek.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Queen Creek
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,035.64 | $8,821 | $105,853 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,221.38 | $5,293 | $63,512 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $814.26 | $3,528 | $42,341 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Queen Creek) | $50.89 |
| 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 Queen Creek, AZ earn a median of $105,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.38% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.80% below the Arizona state average of $106,714.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.89/hr = $63,512/year (purchasing power: $64,479).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,853/year (purchasing power: $107,465).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$41.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Queen Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Queen Creek grew 18.1% from $41.81/hr (2019) to $49.38/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.45/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 Queen Creek 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 Queen Creek
Part-time occupational therapists working 24 hours a week in Queen Creek can expect to take home around $63,000 annually, which is considerably different from what full-time therapists earn. Interestingly, per-diem workers in this field often bill between $50 and $75 per hour, allowing for flexible income opportunities without committing to a full-time schedule. Specialized roles, such as CHT-credentialed hand therapists, can demand $80 to $110 per hour, reflecting the higher rate professionals can achieve in cash-pay practices. Furthermore, hourly rates can vary significantly based on employer type; those employed in skilled nursing and outpatient therapy often experience different compensation compared to those contracted by school districts or home health agencies. However, many occupational therapists may choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For those looking to negotiate, understanding the local market and being aware of ranges in per diem occupational therapist pay in Queen Creek can be advantageous in discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Queen Creek, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Queen Creek in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Queen Creek?
Are occupational therapists in Queen Creek paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Queen Creek?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Queen Creek?
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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 Queen Creek. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Queen Creek is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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