Occupational Therapist Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $109,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $109,017/year (≈ $52.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $108,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Colorado Springs, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is expected to reach $109,017, which exceeds the national median of $103,400 by approximately 5.43%. The salary landscape in this city shows a wide range, with entry-level positions starting around $83,860, while experienced therapists can earn as much as $169,338. This robust earning potential is fueled by the increasing demand for specialized therapists, particularly those certified in hand therapy (CHT), who tend to command higher premiums. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the competitive salary offered to occupational therapists in Colorado Springs reflects a strong local job market that encourages both newcomers and seasoned professionals to thrive in their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,860 | $40.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,238 | $45.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,017 | $52.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,133 | $64.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,338 | $81.41 |
Median Salary Position
5.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,478 (2026 est.). At $109,017, the local median is 5.43% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colorado Springs Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $109,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,400 | +5.43% more |
Occupational Therapists in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $109,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.43% higher than the national median of $103,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,017 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $108,252 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,180
2025 BLS Actual
$105,780
2026 Current Est.
$109,017
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 22.7% from $86,180 (2019) to $105,780 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,173 (30.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $83,860 – $95,238 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,238 – $109,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,017 – $133,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,133 – $169,338 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Colorado Springs
With around 520 occupational therapists currently employed in Colorado Springs, the local job market is both stable and growing, boasting an annual growth rate of 3.06% over the next five years. While the cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 100.707, this can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for professionals in the area. Top employers, like skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers, tend to provide the highest compensation, while positions in school districts may offer lower salaries but can provide valuable job security and work-life balance. Variances in salary largely stem from factors such as setting—hospitals typically pay more than schools or skilled nursing facilities—productivity expectations, and potential stipends for certifications like CHT. For those seeking to maximize their occupational therapist pay in Colorado Springs, focusing on gaining specialized credentials and exploring diverse employment settings can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Colorado Springs?
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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 $105,780 for occupational therapistsin the Colorado Springs 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