Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Bentonville, AR: $51.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Bentonville, AR runs $51.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Bentonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $58.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,949 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, Arkansas, the occupational therapist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $51.24 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $49.71. This rate is indicative of the financial prospects available to part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and home health visits. Occupational therapists who work a typical three-day week would earn an estimated income reflective of a substantially favorable hourly wage. The range of pay varies widely; entry-level positions may earn around $34.58 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $65.15 per hour. These hourly figures serve as estimates based on annual salary data, emphasizing the potential for lucrative earnings within the diverse therapeutic environments found across Bentonville.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.58 | $276.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.31 | $346.45 |
| Median (P50) | $51.24 | $409.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.63 | $469.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.15 | $521.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bentonville
Based on $51.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $51.24/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bentonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $106,582 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,490. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bentonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bentonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,049.66 | $8,882 | $106,582 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,229.79 | $5,329 | $63,949 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $819.86 | $3,553 | $42,633 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Bentonville) | $51.24 |
| 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 Bentonville, AR earn a median of $106,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.07% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $107,872.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $51.24/hr = $63,949/year (purchasing power: $73,590).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,582/year (purchasing power: $122,649).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$42.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$51.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $46.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Bentonville grew 18.1% from $42.10/hr (2019) to $49.72/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.81/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 Bentonville 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 Bentonville
Examining part-time work, an occupational therapist in Bentonville working three days a week for 24 hours would take home approximately $79,029 annually, a significant sum compared to a full-time equivalent. On the other hand, many occupational therapists opt for per-diem roles, where pay ranges from $50 to $75 per hour. Some specialized hand therapists with a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential can command hourly rates between $80 and $110, particularly in cash-pay practices. Meanwhile, travel OT contracts can offer weekly compensation between $1,800 and $2,800. Employment opportunities greatly influence hourly rates: therapists in skilled nursing facilities or home health agencies may see lower pay than those in specialized clinics. Therapists often face a trade-off between accepting lower hourly rates for employment benefits like health insurance versus higher hourly earnings without such perks. For those negotiating pay in Bentonville, understanding the specific type of employer—be it a school district, mental health facility, or outpatient center—can provide a strategic advantage in discussions over hourly rates.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Bentonville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Bentonville?
Are occupational therapists in Bentonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Bentonville?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Bentonville?
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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 Bentonville. 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 Bentonville 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