Occupational Therapist Salary in Arizona: $107,627 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $107,627/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $109,266 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Scottsdale ($109,111), Glendale ($108,727), Gilbert ($106,159).
In 2026, occupational therapists in Arizona can expect an average median salary of $107,627, which is 4.1% above the national median of $103,400. The top-paying city in the state is Scottsdale, where salaries reach $112,450, while Sedona offers the lowest at $100,168, creating a salary gap of $12,282. This variation is typically driven by factors such as cost of living, local demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Arizona's occupational therapy field faces a growing need, with a projected 3.06% annual growth rate in employment, reflecting a consistent demand for therapists in various settings. To practice in Arizona, therapists must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws, which influences the overall job market landscape. Given the total employment of 3,163 occupational therapists, cities like Glendale, Gilbert, Peoria, and Chandler show substantial salary figures as well, indicating a strong demand across the state. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, occupational therapy is likely to remain a key area of growth in Arizona, supported by both a solid employment outlook and increasing salary prospects.
Arizona Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $42,749 (lowest entry-level) to $152,810 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona occupational therapists earn 4.09% more than the national median (+$4,227/year difference).
Arizona Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Arizona range from $79,134 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $137,612 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $107,627. The Arizona median is $4,227 above the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $51.74/hr. Approximately 3,163 occupational therapists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$91,120
2025 BLS Actual
$104,431
2026 Current Est.
$107,627
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,077 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,964 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,871 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,218 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,431 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $107,627 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,920 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 14.6% from $91,120 (2019) to $104,431 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,920 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,800 (21.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sedona | $100,168 |
| Nogales | $100,513 |
| Oro Valley | $101,146 |
| Yuma | $102,040 |
| Sierra Vista | $102,082 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | $112,450 | 98.5 | $114,162 |
| Lake Havasu City | $107,182 | 94.098 | $113,905 |
| Glendale | $112,054 | 98.5 | $113,760 |
| Gilbert | $109,407 | 98.5 | $111,073 |
| Peoria | $109,051 | 98.5 | $110,712 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,134 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $107,627 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $137,612 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale | $112,450 |
| 2 | Glendale | $112,054 |
| 3 | Gilbert | $109,407 |
| 4 | Peoria | $109,051 |
| 5 | Chandler | $109,032 |
| 6 | Phoenix | $108,275 |
| 7 | Maricopa | $108,158 |
| 8 | Avondale | $107,999 |
| 9 | Mesa | $107,751 |
| 10 | Prescott Valley | $107,615 |
| 11 | Marana | $107,593 |
| 12 | San Tan Valley | $107,280 |
| 13 | Lake Havasu City | $107,182 |
| 14 | Tempe | $107,154 |
| 15 | Prescott | $107,042 |
| 16 | Kingman | $106,869 |
| 17 | Surprise | $106,472 |
| 18 | Goodyear | $106,308 |
| 19 | Flagstaff | $106,224 |
| 20 | Queen Creek | $105,860 |
| 21 | Buckeye | $104,872 |
| 22 | Florence | $104,161 |
| 23 | Tucson | $104,008 |
| 24 | Casa Grande | $103,933 |
| 25 | Bullhead City | $103,921 |
| 26 | El Mirage | $103,457 |
| 27 | Sahuarita | $103,010 |
| 28 | Apache Junction | $102,877 |
| 29 | Sierra Vista | $102,082 |
| 30 | Yuma | $102,040 |
| 31 | Oro Valley | $101,146 |
| 32 | Nogales | $100,513 |
| 33 | Sedona | $100,168 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Arizona?
How does Arizona occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Arizona?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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