Occupational Therapist Salary in Colorado: $111,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $111,193/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $105,898 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($123,490), Centennial ($108,485), Arvada ($108,312).
In Colorado, the average median salary for occupational therapists is projected to reach $111,193 in 2026, which is 7.5% higher than the national median of $103,400. The highest-paying city is Boulder at $127,269, while Golden offers the lowest salary at $100,340, highlighting a salary gap of $26,929. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the local healthcare market. Colorado is known for its unique licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job opportunities and earnings. The state's demand for occupational therapy services is driven by a growing population, particularly in areas with an aging demographic and high levels of outdoor activities that can lead to injuries. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.06%, the job market for occupational therapists in Colorado remains strong. Currently, there are 3,299 professionals employed in this field across 33 metro areas, indicating a steady need for qualified practitioners. Key cities like Centennial, Arvada, Denver, and Thornton are anticipated to offer salaries closely aligning with the state median, reflecting regional dynamics in occupational therapy demand.
Colorado Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $73,369 (lowest entry-level) to $180,139 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado occupational therapists earn 7.54% more than the national median (+$7,793/year difference).
Colorado Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Colorado range from $82,272 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $162,568 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $111,193. The Colorado median is $7,793 above the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $53.46/hr. Approximately 3,299 occupational therapists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$88,370
2025 BLS Actual
$107,892
2026 Current Est.
$111,193
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,306 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,674 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,468 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,892 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $111,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,596 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 22.1% from $88,370 (2019) to $107,892 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,596 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,226 (29.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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 Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $100,340 |
| Evans | $100,964 |
| Louisville | $101,553 |
| Durango | $102,152 |
| Steamboat Springs | $102,799 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $127,269 | 105.202 | $120,976 |
| Grand Junction | $110,666 | 95.476 | $115,910 |
| Pueblo | $103,410 | 91.762 | $112,694 |
| Colorado Springs | $109,017 | 100.707 | $108,252 |
| Greeley | $107,213 | 100.176 | $107,025 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $82,272 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $111,193 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $162,568 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $127,269 |
| 2 | Centennial | $111,805 |
| 3 | Arvada | $111,626 |
| 4 | Denver | $110,790 |
| 5 | Thornton | $110,728 |
| 6 | Grand Junction | $110,666 |
| 7 | Westminster | $109,627 |
| 8 | Lakewood | $109,098 |
| 9 | Colorado Springs | $109,017 |
| 10 | Aurora | $108,356 |
| 11 | Parker | $108,060 |
| 12 | Erie | $107,866 |
| 13 | Windsor | $107,595 |
| 14 | Castle Rock | $107,387 |
| 15 | Broomfield | $107,352 |
| 16 | Longmont | $107,318 |
| 17 | Greeley | $107,213 |
| 18 | Englewood | $106,495 |
| 19 | Commerce City | $105,755 |
| 20 | Fort Collins | $105,688 |
| 21 | Lafayette | $105,506 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $104,897 |
| 23 | Brighton | $103,914 |
| 24 | Littleton | $103,568 |
| 25 | Fountain | $103,508 |
| 26 | Pueblo | $103,410 |
| 27 | Northglenn | $103,407 |
| 28 | Loveland | $103,156 |
| 29 | Steamboat Springs | $102,799 |
| 30 | Durango | $102,152 |
| 31 | Louisville | $101,553 |
| 32 | Evans | $100,964 |
| 33 | Golden | $100,340 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Colorado cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Colorado?
How does Colorado occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Colorado?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado 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 Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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