Occupational Therapist Salary in Denver, CO: $110,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Denver, CO earns a median $110,790/year (≈ $53.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $104,734 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for occupational therapists in Denver, Colorado, is projected to reach $110,790, reflecting a robust increase in compensation amid wider market fluctuations, particularly following Medicare cuts that impacted skilled nursing facilities and outpatient therapy compensation. With a salary range from $81,593 to $162,649, these figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate a healthy earning potential for professionals in the field. Compared to the national median of $103,400, occupational therapist pay in Denver, CO, is approximately 7.15% higher, suggesting that local market conditions may favor therapist salaries even amidst the evolving healthcare landscape. Thus, the job market appears competitive for both new entrants and seasoned professionals alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,593 | $39.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $97,093 | $46.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,790 | $53.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,226 | $63.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $162,649 | $78.20 |
Median Salary Position
7.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,056 (2026 est.). At $110,790, the local median is 7.15% above the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Denver median: $110,790/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $109,045 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +7.15% more |
Occupational Therapists in Denver, CO earn a median of $110,790 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.15% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 1.60% above the Colorado state average of $109,045.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,790 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,734 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,420
2025 BLS Actual
$107,500
2026 Current Est.
$110,790
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $107,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,180 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 20.2% from $89,420 (2019) to $107,500 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,180 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,760 (27.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $81,593 – $97,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $97,093 – $110,790 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,790 – $131,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,226 – $162,649 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Denver
With 1,870 occupational therapists employed in the area, Denver's job market remains vibrant, albeit tempered by a cost-of-living index of 105.782, which suggests potential challenges in terms of purchasing power. In this competitive environment, settings such as hospital inpatient rehab and outpatient clinics typically offer the highest pay, while school district roles may provide more stability but often at lower rates. Factors influencing the disparity between high and low salaries include the setting of employment, board certifications such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and the effects of Medicare cuts on reimbursement practices. To maximize their earning potential, occupational therapists in Denver should consider specializing in high-demand areas, securing relevant certifications, and exploring diverse employment settings. With strategic career planning, they can navigate this competitive market to achieve optimal compensation.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Denver, CO in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Denver?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Denver?
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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 $107,500 for occupational therapistsin the Denver 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