Occupational Therapist Salary in Birmingham, AL: $98,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Birmingham, AL earns a median $98,165/year (≈ $47.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $107,116 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 projected salary for occupational therapists in Birmingham, Alabama, is $98,165, which is slightly below the national median of $103,400. Occupational therapists have options in various settings, like hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and schools, each influencing potential salary outcomes. The salary range reflects this variability, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $79,119 and experienced practitioners earning up to $130,938, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data. This job market informs prospective therapists about the dynamics at play, particularly the choice between year-round roles in inpatient rehab facilities and school-year contracts that may offer different benefits and flexibility.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,119 | $38.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,735 | $41.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,165 | $47.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,427 | $55.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,938 | $62.95 |
Median Salary Position
5.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,819 (2026 est.). At $98,165, the local median is 5.06% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Birmingham Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $98,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $96,619 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | -5.06% less |
Occupational Therapists in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $98,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.06% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 1.60% above the Alabama state average of $96,619.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $98,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,116 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,150
2025 BLS Actual
$95,250
2026 Current Est.
$98,165
2019–2027 Growth
+12.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Birmingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 5.7% from $90,150 (2019) to $95,250 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,018 (12.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $79,119 – $86,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,735 – $98,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,165 – $116,427 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,427 – $130,938 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Birmingham
Considering the local job market, Birmingham employs about 540 occupational therapists, highlighting steady demand. A cost-of-living index of 91.644 suggests that housing and everyday expenses here are below the national average, enhancing purchasing power for those in the field. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals typically offer higher salaries than schools, reflecting productivity expectations and specialty certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), which can command significant premiums. Variability in pay often stems from factors including the setting in which providers work, the specific contracts they engage in, as well as Medicare reimbursement policies affecting outpatient and SNF services. For occupational therapists seeking to maximize their pay in Birmingham, pursuing specialty certifications and considering roles in high-paying facilities can be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Birmingham, AL in 2026?
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Birmingham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Birmingham?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $95,250 for occupational therapistsin the Birmingham metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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