Occupational Therapist Salary in Arkansas: $106,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $106,873/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $122,984 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($109,594), Springdale ($109,516), Fayetteville ($107,830).
In Arkansas, occupational therapists can expect an average median salary of $106,873 in 2026, which surpasses the national median of $103,400 by 3.4%. The highest salaries are found in Rogers at $112,948, while the lowest in Hot Springs is $84,932, illustrating a significant gap of $27,016 between the two cities. This variance is driven by factors such as demand for services, local cost of living, and differing levels of healthcare infrastructure in urban versus rural regions. The job market for occupational therapists in Arkansas shows a positive outlook, with an annual growth rate of 3.06%. This growth is fueled by factors such as an aging population and increasing awareness of the benefits of occupational therapy, leading to heightened demand for practitioners. Arkansas requires specific state licensing, along with adherence to scope of practice laws that guide occupational therapy services. With a total of 1,721 occupational therapists employed across 21 metro areas, Arkansas presents various opportunities for professionals looking to advance their careers in different settings, from schools to rehabilitation centers. As practice environments evolve, occupational therapists can anticipate a steady demand, making it a viable career choice within the state.
Arkansas Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $38,472 (lowest entry-level) to $148,664 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas occupational therapists earn 3.36% more than the national median (+$3,473/year difference).
Arkansas Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Arkansas range from $64,901 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $142,334 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,873. The Arkansas median is $3,473 above the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $51.38/hr. Approximately 1,721 occupational therapists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,757
2025 BLS Actual
$103,700
2026 Current Est.
$106,873
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,757 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,139 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,928 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,467 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,819 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,144 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 30.0% from $79,757 (2019) to $103,700 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,144 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,387 (38.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hot Springs | $84,932 |
| Van Buren | $100,140 |
| Fort Smith | $100,731 |
| Bryant | $101,942 |
| Searcy | $102,713 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $112,948 | 86.9 | $129,975 |
| Springdale | $112,867 | 86.9 | $129,881 |
| Jonesboro | $109,615 | 85.876 | $127,643 |
| Texarkana | $108,391 | 86.9 | $124,731 |
| Jacksonville | $107,104 | 86.9 | $123,250 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $64,901 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,873 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $142,334 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $112,948 |
| 2 | Springdale | $112,867 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $111,130 |
| 4 | Jonesboro | $109,615 |
| 5 | Texarkana | $108,391 |
| 6 | Little Rock | $107,883 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $107,104 |
| 8 | Bentonville | $106,577 |
| 9 | North Little Rock | $106,291 |
| 10 | Benton | $105,689 |
| 11 | Conway | $105,592 |
| 12 | Paragould | $105,388 |
| 13 | Pine Bluff | $105,304 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $104,818 |
| 15 | Russellville | $104,266 |
| 16 | Cabot | $103,797 |
| 17 | Searcy | $102,713 |
| 18 | Bryant | $101,942 |
| 19 | Fort Smith | $100,731 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $100,140 |
| 21 | Hot Springs | $84,932 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Arkansas?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas 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 Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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