Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Farmington, NM: $46.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Farmington, NM runs $46.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,454 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Farmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,866 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Farmington, NM, earn a median hourly rate of $46.37, which is slightly below the national median of $49.71. This hourly rate has significant implications for those considering part-time positions, as many practitioners in this field work three days a week or engage in per-diem opportunities. Given the diverse settings where occupational therapists operate—such as hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, home health visits, and outpatient clinics—the ability to earn between $37.78 and $60.39 per hour offers flexibility in designing one’s work life. This variance in hourly pay reflects both entry-level positions and top earners within the field, aligning with official Bureau of Labor Statistics data projected for 2026.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.78 | $302.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.00 | $327.98 |
| Median (P50) | $46.37 | $370.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55.71 | $445.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.39 | $483.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Farmington
Based on $46.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.37/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Farmington, NM can expect to earn approximately $96,443 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,640. With a cost-of-living index of 87.71 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Farmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Farmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,854.67 | $8,037 | $96,443 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,112.80 | $4,822 | $57,866 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $741.87 | $3,215 | $38,577 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Farmington) | $46.37 |
| 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 Farmington, NM earn a median of $96,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.72% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 1.20% below the New Mexico state average of $97,625.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.37/hr = $57,866/year (purchasing power: $65,976).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,443/year (purchasing power: $109,960).
CoL index: 87.707 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$38.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Farmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Farmington grew 18.1% from $38.09/hr (2019) to $44.99/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.79/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 Farmington 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 Farmington
Considering part-time work, an occupational therapist working 24 hours a week could anticipate an annual income of roughly $58,636, versus a full-time occupational therapist’s earnings reaching nearly $96,454. For those pursuing per diem occupational therapist pay in Farmington, rates typically range from $50 to $75 per hour, and specialized hand therapists with a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential may command from $80 to $110 per hour. Furthermore, travel therapy contracts can pay between $1,800 and $2,800 weekly, offering substantial financial incentives. Differences in hourly rates across employer types—whether in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, or mental health settings—highlight the need for careful negotiation regarding benefits. In Farmington, some occupational therapists might opt for lower hourly rates that come with health insurance while others may prefer higher pay without benefits, demonstrating the trade-offs in this sector. Negotiating rates effectively often involves articulating one’s qualifications, especially with advanced certifications like CHT.
More salary data for Farmington, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Farmington in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Farmington?
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How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Farmington?
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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 Farmington. 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, 3-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