Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $59.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Lake Forest, CA runs $59.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,235 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,535 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy professionals in Lake Forest, CA, can anticipate a robust median hourly pay of $59.72 in 2026. This rate exceeds the national median hourly figure of $49.71, highlighting competitive earnings in this region. For part-time employees working three days a week, this hourly pay translates into an annual earning potential that allows for a comfortable lifestyle, especially in settings like skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation units, and school therapy rooms. The hourly pay in Lake Forest ranges from $44.25 for entry-level therapists to $79.16 for top earners, positioning these professionals advantageously within the market. Given estimated hourly rates derived from annual salary data, the variance suggests a thriving job market for occupational therapists across various practice environments.
About the Lake Forest Market
Salary estimated from California average ($111,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44.25 | $354.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.73 | $389.81 |
| Median (P50) | $59.72 | $477.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70.08 | $560.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.16 | $633.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $59.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.72/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $124,224 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,668. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,388.93 | $10,352 | $124,224 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,433.36 | $6,211 | $74,535 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $955.57 | $4,141 | $49,690 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Lake Forest) | $59.72 |
| 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 Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $124,235 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.15% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 1.80% below the California state average of $126,512.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.72/hr = $74,535/year (purchasing power: $65,902).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,224/year (purchasing power: $109,836).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $49.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $55.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Lake Forest grew 18.1% from $49.07/hr (2019) to $57.95/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $61.55/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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
Exploring the earning potential for part-time occupational therapists reveals that those working 24 hours a week can earn significantly, yet they might still fall short of the income of full-time practitioners. Part-time occupational therapists may take home around $69,747 annually, which can be quite different from a full-time income. The per diem model offers rates between $50-$75 per hour, with specialized hand therapists earning up to $80-$110 per hour, especially within cash-pay practices. Travel OTs can see lucrative contracts ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 per week due to the demand for flexible staffing. While positions in skilled nursing and inpatient rehab facilities often offer lower pay to accommodate benefits, other roles may pay higher hourly rates without those perks. For those negotiating their hourly pay in Lake Forest, focusing on the trade-offs between hourly compensation and benefits can influence their decisions and negotiation strategies effectively.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Lake Forest in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Lake Forest?
Are occupational therapists in Lake Forest paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Lake Forest?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Lake Forest?
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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 Lake Forest. 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 Lake Forest 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