Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $50.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Charlottesville, VA runs $50.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,018 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,406 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Charlottesville, VA, earn a median hourly rate of $50.00, which slightly exceeds the national median of $49.71. This competitive rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time practitioners, who might work three days a week, and per-diem professionals working in various settings. Whether in hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, or schools, this hourly pay structure supports flexible employment opportunities for those who prioritize work-life balance. Entry-level positions start at around $39.46 per hour, while experienced therapists can earn up to $64.00 per hour, demonstrating a significant earning potential for those in specialized or advanced roles.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.46 | $315.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.96 | $335.65 |
| Median (P50) | $50.00 | $400.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.99 | $471.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.00 | $512.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $50.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.00/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $104,010 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,006. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,000.19 | $8,667 | $104,010 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,200.11 | $5,200 | $62,406 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $800.08 | $3,467 | $41,604 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Charlottesville) | $50.00 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $104,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 1.50% above the Virginia state average of $102,481.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.00/hr = $62,406/year (purchasing power: $62,943).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,010/year (purchasing power: $104,906).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$43.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+17.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $44.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $48.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Charlottesville grew 10.7% from $43.84/hr (2019) to $48.52/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.53/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
When considering the potential earnings of an occupational therapist working part-time, a three-day work week can yield approximately $62,400 annually, which still demonstrates viability compared to full-time positions. In contrast, per-diem occupational therapists typically earn between $50 and $75 per hour, with specialized hand therapists commanding rates between $80 and $110 per hour in cash-pay settings. This differentiating structure reveals how hourly rates can reflect employer types, ranging from skilled nursing facilities to outpatient therapy clinics. Therapists may navigate trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits versus a lower hourly rate that includes health insurance. For professionals in Charlottesville, effective negotiation strategies can emphasize their unique qualifications and specialties—such as CHT certification—to secure optimal compensation tailored to the city's evolving therapy market.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapists make in Charlottesville?
Are occupational therapists in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapist make per year in Charlottesville?
Do occupational therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Charlottesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Charlottesville. 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