Occupational Therapist Salary in Stockton, CA: $126,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Stockton, CA earns a median $126,753/year (≈ $60.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $120,615 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Stockton, California, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $126,753 as of 2026, considerably higher than the national median of $103,400. This salary reflects a broad range, with figures spanning from $84,076 at the lower 10th percentile to $153,662 at the 90th percentile. These statistics, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrate the financial rewards available in this sector, particularly in a market recovering from Medicare cuts affecting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient therapy compensation post-2022. The job market for occupational therapists in Stockton remains robust, driven by ongoing demand for skilled professionals in various healthcare settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,076 | $40.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,069 | $51.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,753 | $60.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $153,662 | $73.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,662 | $73.88 |
Median Salary Position
22.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,586 (2026 est.). At $126,753, the local median is 22.59% above the national median of $103,400.
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How Stockton Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Stockton median: $126,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $126,500 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +22.59% more |
Occupational Therapists in Stockton, CA earn a median of $126,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.59% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.20% above the California state average of $126,500.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,753 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $120,615 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,920
2025 BLS Actual
$122,990
2026 Current Est.
$126,753
2019–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $107,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,632 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 28.2% from $95,920 (2019) to $122,990 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,632 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,712 (36.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $84,076 – $108,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,069 – $126,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,753 – $153,662 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $153,662 – $153,662 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Stockton
With 230 occupational therapists currently employed in the Stockton area, the local job market demonstrates solid demand despite the challenges posed by the rising cost of living, which has a cost-of-living index of 105.089. Employers in the area, particularly hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient hand therapy clinics, tend to offer the highest wages, primarily due to the complexity and skills required in these settings. The disparity between salaries often hinges on certification, such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, and the specific work environments—hospital positions generally pay more than those in school districts or SNFs. Maximizing earning potential in Stockton may involve pursuing specialty certifications and considering settings with year-round contracts to cushion income fluctuations. Given that the growth rate for occupational therapy positions is projected at 3.06% annually, this offers further incentive for current and future professionals to engage deeply in this rewarding field.
More salary data for Stockton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Stockton, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Stockton?
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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 $122,990 for occupational therapistsin the Stockton 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