Occupational Therapist Salary in Oro Valley, AZ: $101,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Oro Valley, AZ earns a median $101,146/year (≈ $48.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Oro Valley's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $102,686 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oro Valley, Arizona, occupational therapists can expect a median annual salary of $101,146 in 2026, reflecting a localized adjustment based on state-level data. Salary figures range from $75,155 at the lower end to $126,874 for the top earners, illustrating significant potential for growth within the profession. The unique job market in Oro Valley facilitates diverse employment settings, including hospitals, schools, and skilled nursing facilities (SNF), allowing professionals to consider year-round versus school year contracts. These choices inevitably affect salary levels, providing a fundamental consideration for those charting their OT career paths in the area.
About the Oro Valley Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($93,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,155 | $36.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,998 | $39.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,146 | $48.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,196 | $55.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,874 | $61.00 |
Median Salary Position
2.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oro Valley
In Oro Valley, AZ, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,719 (2026 est.). At $101,146, the local median is 2.18% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oro Valley: You'd be above the median
How Oro Valley Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Oro Valley median: $101,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oro Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $106,694 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -2.18% less |
Occupational Therapists in Oro Valley, AZ earn a median of $101,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.18% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 5.20% below the Arizona state average of $106,694.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oro Valley has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oro Valley, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $101,146 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,686 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$83,098
2025 BLS Actual
$98,143
2026 Current Est.
$101,146
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Oro Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,098 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,399 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,705 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,269 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,143 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,241 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oro Valley metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $83,098 (2019) to $98,143 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,241 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,143 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oro Valley 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) | $75,155 – $81,998 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,998 – $101,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,146 – $115,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,196 – $126,874 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Oro Valley
Within Oro Valley, the local job market is modest, with only seven occupational therapists employed in the region, impacting overall salary competition. The area's cost of living index stands at 98.5, suggesting a slightly lower-than-average expense for residents, which may enhance take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer the highest compensation, followed by specialized outpatient clinics. Factors contributing to salary disparities include the work setting, any additional certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, and contract types. To maximize occupational therapist pay in Oro Valley, pursuing specialty certifications, negotiating pay rates based on experience, and seeking year-round contracting opportunities can aid potential earnings in this evolving field.
More salary data for Oro Valley, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Oro Valley, AZ in 2026?
Is Oro Valley, AZ a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Oro Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Oro Valley?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Oro Valley?
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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 $98,143 for occupational therapistsin the Oro Valley 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
Salary data for Oro Valley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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