Occupational Therapist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $140,955 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $140,955/year (≈ $67.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $121,920 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in San Francisco, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $140,955 in 2026, significantly above the national average of $103,400. This favorable compensation reflects the city's high demand for skilled professionals, particularly those with specialty certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), which can command a notable premium in pay structures. Salary ranges show a wide disparity, with entry-level positions starting at $99,195 and top earners making up to $176,707. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting San Francisco's competitive job market for occupational therapy as it continues to grow in response to healthcare demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,195 | $47.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,331 | $61.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,955 | $67.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $159,774 | $76.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $176,707 | $84.95 |
Median Salary Position
36.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,512 (2026 est.). At $140,955, the local median is 36.32% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $140,955/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $126,531 | +11.40% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +36.32% more |
Occupational Therapists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $140,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.32% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 11.40% above the California state average of $126,531.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $140,955 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,920 — a 13.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$106,520
2025 BLS Actual
$136,770
2026 Current Est.
$140,955
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $109,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $136,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,955 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 28.4% from $106,520 (2019) to $136,770 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,748 (36.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $99,195 – $127,331 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,331 – $140,955 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,955 – $159,774 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $159,774 – $176,707 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in San Francisco
The local market is robust, with around 1,560 occupational therapists employed in the area, though the cost of living index stands at 115.613, indicating that take-home salaries must stretch farther to meet daily expenses. Notably, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer the highest salaries, while positions within school districts or certain outpatient settings may offer less. Factors influencing wage variation include the type of healthcare setting, productivity benchmarks, and whether therapists hold additional certifications. Those looking to maximize pay should seek positions in hospital settings and pursue niche specialties or board certifications, recognizing that job flexibility and contract terms can also impact overall earnings in the competitive San Francisco market.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in San Francisco, CA in 2026?
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in San Francisco?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in San Francisco?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in San Francisco?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $136,770 for occupational therapistsin the San Francisco 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