Occupational Therapist Salary in Sherwood, AR: $104,818 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Sherwood, AR earns a median $104,818/year (≈ $50.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Sherwood's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $120,619 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Sherwood, Arkansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $104,818, slightly higher than the national median of $103,400. This salary reflects the local job market's potential, with a full salary range spanning from $73,568 at the 10th percentile to $136,768 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost factors, which is particularly relevant in Sherwood given its cost-of-living index of 86.9 compared to the national average. As practitioners either enter the field or seek advanced specialty certifications like the CHT, they may find lucrative positions that contribute to the competitive pay landscape in the area.
About the Sherwood Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,568 | $35.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,091 | $42.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,818 | $50.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,361 | $58.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,768 | $65.75 |
Median Salary Position
1.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sherwood
In Sherwood, AR, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,200 (2026 est.). At $104,818, the local median is 1.37% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sherwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sherwood Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Sherwood median: $104,818/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sherwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $107,838 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +1.37% more |
Occupational Therapists in Sherwood, AR earn a median of $104,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.37% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 2.80% below the Arkansas state average of $107,838.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sherwood has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sherwood, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $104,818 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $120,619 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,115
2025 BLS Actual
$101,706
2026 Current Est.
$104,818
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Sherwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,115 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,463 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,744 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,458 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,692 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,922 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,818 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,026 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sherwood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $86,115 (2019) to $101,706 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,911 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sherwood 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) | $73,568 – $88,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,091 – $104,818 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,818 – $122,361 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,361 – $136,768 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Sherwood
Looking deeper into the local job market, Sherwood currently employs seven occupational therapists, indicating a modest sector but one with potential for growth. The favorable cost of living means that salary figures translate into manageable living expenses, enhancing the overall purchasing power of these professionals. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient hand therapy clinics tend to offer the highest compensation, while school district contracts generally provide lower pay. Variability in occupational therapist pay in Sherwood is influenced by professional certifications, productivity expectations, and sector-specific financial health, especially regarding Medicare cuts impacting skilled nursing and outpatient services. Occupational therapists seeking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing advanced certifications, maintaining flexibility in their working contexts, and exploring diverse service delivery settings for maximum compensation opportunities in Sherwood, AR.
More salary data for Sherwood, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Sherwood, AR in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Sherwood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Sherwood?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Sherwood?
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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 $101,706 for occupational therapistsin the Sherwood 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 Sherwood 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