Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $58.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Merced, CA runs $58.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $121,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $59.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $72,953 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapist hourly pay in Merced, California, is projected to reach $58.46, significantly surpassing the national median of $49.71. This premium rate can greatly benefit part-time therapists working three days a week, who, given a typical schedule, can earn an attractive income while maintaining flexibility in their practice. Per-diem workers in various settings, such as hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient therapy clinics, find that the pay range spans from $35.44 per hour for entry-level positions up to $73.94 for experienced professionals. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflects the competitive landscape of occupational therapy in Merced, allowing practitioners to choose roles that suit both their financial needs and personal circumstances.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.44 | $283.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.75 | $397.98 |
| Median (P50) | $58.46 | $467.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.93 | $559.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73.94 | $591.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $58.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $58.46/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $121,588 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $70,147. With a cost-of-living index of 98.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,338.23 | $10,132 | $121,588 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,402.94 | $6,079 | $72,953 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $935.29 | $4,053 | $48,635 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Merced) | $58.46 |
| 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 Merced, CA earn a median of $121,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.58% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 3.90% below the California state average of $126,514.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $58.46/hr = $72,953/year (purchasing power: $74,233).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $121,588/year (purchasing power: $123,722).
CoL index: 98.275 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$48.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$56.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$58.46/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $48.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $53.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $56.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Merced grew 18.1% from $48.03/hr (2019) to $56.72/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $60.24/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 Merced 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 Merced
For part-time occupational therapists working 24 hours a week, the earning potential is substantial: they would take home approximately $74,337 annually, while full-time counterparts could earn closer to $121,580. Many practitioners opt for per-diem positions, often billing between $50 and $75 per hour, with CHT-credentialed hand therapists earning even higher rates of $80 to $110 per hour in private practices. Travel contracts can be even more lucrative, ranging from $1,800 to $2,800 weekly, making the per diem occupational therapist pay in Merced particularly enticing for those pursuing contract work. It's essential for occupational therapists to understand that hourly rates may differ across employer types, with skilled nursing facilities typically offering lower rates than outpatient hand therapy clinics. Some therapists accept lower hourly wages for the security of benefits, making negotiations critical, particularly for those in Merced. When discussing compensation, therapists should emphasize their specialty training and the demand for skilled practitioners to secure the best possible offers.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Merced 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
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 Merced. 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, 5-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