Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay in Kennewick, WA: $50.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapist working in Kennewick, WA runs $50.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Weighted against Kennewick's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $50.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,358 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kennewick, WA, the occupational therapist hourly pay is projected to be $50.77 in 2026, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $49.71. This competitive rate opens up various opportunities for part-time OTs working three days a week, typically totaling around 24 hours. For those looking at different employment situations, such as per-diem positions, the flexibility can be financially rewarding. In Kennewick, hourly rates range from $38.24 for entry-level positions to $63.64 for top earners, reflecting the diversity across various work settings, including hospital rehabilitation units, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates and highlights the local demand for occupational therapists.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.24 | $305.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.00 | $367.97 |
| Median (P50) | $50.77 | $406.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61.82 | $494.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.64 | $509.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kennewick
Based on $50.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.77/hr, a occupational therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kennewick, WA can expect to earn approximately $105,596 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,921. With a cost-of-living index of 100.08 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kennewick.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kennewick
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,030.69 | $8,800 | $105,596 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,218.42 | $5,280 | $63,358 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $812.28 | $3,520 | $42,238 |
Compare OT, OTR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapist (Kennewick) | $50.77 |
| 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 Kennewick, WA earn a median of $105,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.12% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 2.40% below the Washington state average of $108,192.
Occupational Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.77/hr = $63,358/year (purchasing power: $63,308).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,596/year (purchasing power: $105,513).
CoL index: 100.079 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$43.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapists in Kennewick grew 14.3% from $43.10/hr (2019) to $49.26/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.32/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 Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Looking beyond the average hourly pay, part-time occupational therapists working in Kennewick can take home a significantly different annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. A therapist working 24 hours a week could see an annual income about $63,000, while those in per-diem roles often bill between $50 and $75 per hour, with specialized hand therapists earning even more, particularly in cash-pay practices. Travel OT contracts can offer much higher weekly compensation, ranging from $1,800 to $2,800. Moreover, varying employer types such as skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and early intervention programs may offer different pay structures, influencing the decision-making process for OTs. While some therapists may opt for lower hourly rates to secure benefits like health insurance, others might prefer higher pay without these perks. When negotiating hourly wages in Kennewick, it's beneficial to emphasize specialized credentials, such as the CHT certification, which often warrant a premium, alongside being prepared to discuss the value of flexibility in work arrangements.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Kennewick 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 Kennewick. 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