Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $53.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in San Antonio, TX runs $53.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,944 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $56.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,560 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in San Antonio, TX, can expect a median hourly pay of $53.33, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $49.71 by a notable margin. This competitive rate presents significant earning potential for part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, as well as per-diem occupational therapists who might work in environments like hospital rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. For entry-level practitioners, hourly pay starts around $37.50, while experienced therapists can reach as high as $65.22, allowing for substantial earnings variations based on experience and specialty.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.50 | $300.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.32 | $394.60 |
| Median (P50) | $53.33 | $426.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.00 | $512.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.22 | $521.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $53.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.33/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $110,934 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,000. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,133.34 | $9,244 | $110,934 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,280.01 | $5,547 | $66,560 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $853.34 | $3,698 | $44,374 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (San Antonio) | $53.33 |
| 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 San Antonio, TX earn a median of $110,944 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.30% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 5.10% above the Texas state average of $105,561.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.33/hr = $66,560/year (purchasing power: $70,274).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,934/year (purchasing power: $117,123).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$34.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in San Antonio grew 50.0% from $34.50/hr (2019) to $51.75/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.97/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
Examining the financial landscape reveals interesting earning dynamics for those in the occupational therapy field. A part-time occupational therapist working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $41,600 annually, quite distinct from a full-time professional's expectations. Per diem occupational therapist pay in San Antonio generally falls between $50 and $75 per hour, with specialty areas like Certified Hand Therapy (CHT) commanding even higher rates, ranging from $80 to $110 per hour in cash-pay settings. Additionally, travel OT contracts can offer lucrative arrangements, averaging between $1,800 and $2,800 weekly. Hourly rates also significantly differ based on employer types, with skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies often providing lower hourly rates compared to specialized outpatient care. Occupational therapists often face a trade-off between higher hourly wages that lack benefits and slightly lower rates that include health insurance. For those considering their negotiation strategies in San Antonio, understanding the employer's budget and local average pay trends can be key to achieving favorable terms.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in San Antonio in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in San Antonio?
Are occupational therapists in San Antonio paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in San Antonio?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in San Antonio?
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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 San Antonio. 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