Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $47.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Dover, DE runs $47.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,536 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,126 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Dover, Delaware, earn a median hourly rate of $47.38. This figure is somewhat lower than the national median of $49.71, reflecting local market conditions and cost of living factors. For part-time professionals—typically working 3 days a week—this rate translates to significant flexibility, allowing them to balance work with personal commitments while still earning a respectable income. Per-diem roles, which can be found in settings such as hospital rehab units or skilled nursing facilities, provide an hourly pay range from $31.86 for entry-level positions to high earners making up to $67.76. These BLS figures indicate a stable market for occupational therapists, with various settings offering diverse earning potentials based on experience and specialty.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.86 | $254.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.80 | $326.41 |
| Median (P50) | $47.38 | $379.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.14 | $441.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.76 | $542.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $47.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.38/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $98,543 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,852. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,895.07 | $8,212 | $98,543 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,137.04 | $4,927 | $59,126 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $758.03 | $3,285 | $39,417 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Dover) | $47.38 |
| 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 Dover, DE earn a median of $98,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.70% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 6.30% below the Delaware state average of $105,161.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.38/hr = $59,126/year (purchasing power: $60,638).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,543/year (purchasing power: $101,063).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $39.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Dover grew 33.9% from $34.34/hr (2019) to $45.97/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.83/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 Dover 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 Dover
Part-time occupational therapists in Dover working a typical schedule of 24 hours a week could expect to bring home roughly $59,000 annually. This is a solid income, especially considering the more flexible lifestyle associated with part-time work. For those pursuing per-diem work, the earning potential rises significantly, as these professionals often bill between $50 and $75 per hour, depending on the setting and their specialty—such as Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) who command rates upwards of $80 to $110 per hour in cash-pay practices. Hourly rates can differ markedly across different employer types in Dover, ranging from skilled nursing facilities to school therapy rooms. While some occupational therapists may opt for lower hourly rates with accompanying benefits, others prefer to negotiate higher pay without benefits. Those seeking hourly positions should focus on leveraging their specialty credentials, especially as the move toward entry-level Doctoral programs becomes pervasive—this can be a strategic advantage in securing favorable pay rates.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Dover in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Dover?
Are occupational therapists in Dover paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Dover?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Dover?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 Dover. 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