Occupational Therapist Salary in Connecticut: $105,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $105,123/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $97,426 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bridgeport ($105,240), Stamford ($103,830), Manchester ($103,542).
As of 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapists in Connecticut is projected at $105,123, slightly above the national median of $103,400. This represents a 1.7% increase when compared to the national average. Within the state, salaries vary by city, with Bridgeport offering the highest average salary at $108,460, while Cheshire has the lowest at $101,024, reflecting a gap of $7,436. The salary differences among cities are often driven by cost of living adjustments, demand for services, and healthcare facility funding levels. Connecticut has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence earning potential and job responsibility. The state’s healthcare needs, particularly as the population ages, drive demand for occupational therapy services. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.06% in employment opportunities, the job market for occupational therapists shows positive trends. Other top-paying cities in Connecticut include Stamford at $107,007, Manchester at $106,710, Danbury at $106,191, and New Haven at $105,822. Overall, the occupational therapy field in Connecticut provides a solid employment outlook with competitive salaries across the state's metro areas.
Connecticut Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $71,186 (lowest entry-level) to $143,259 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut occupational therapists earn 1.67% more than the national median (+$1,723/year difference).
Connecticut Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Connecticut range from $78,319 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $132,715 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,123. The Connecticut median is $1,723 above the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $50.54/hr. Approximately 3,150 occupational therapists are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$91,866
2025 BLS Actual
$102,002
2026 Current Est.
$105,123
2019–2027 Growth
+17.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,866 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,811 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,324 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,783 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,295 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,002 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,340 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 11.0% from $91,866 (2019) to $102,002 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,474 (17.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut 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 Connecticut
Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cheshire | $101,024 |
| West Hartford | $101,155 |
| Enfield | $101,249 |
| Naugatuck | $101,394 |
| East Hartford | $101,869 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norwich | $105,812 | 100.445 | $105,343 |
| Waterbury | $102,503 | 99.778 | $102,731 |
| Bridgeport | $108,460 | 106.864 | $101,493 |
| New Haven | $105,822 | 104.559 | $101,208 |
| Hartford | $103,647 | 102.746 | $100,877 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $78,319 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $105,123 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $132,715 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 29 Cities in Connecticut
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | $108,460 |
| 2 | Stamford | $107,007 |
| 3 | Manchester | $106,710 |
| 4 | Danbury | $106,191 |
| 5 | New Haven | $105,822 |
| 6 | Norwich | $105,812 |
| 7 | Norwalk | $105,303 |
| 8 | New London | $105,062 |
| 9 | Bristol | $104,968 |
| 10 | Stratford | $104,816 |
| 11 | Middletown | $104,686 |
| 12 | Shelton | $104,623 |
| 13 | Meriden | $104,465 |
| 14 | Hamden | $104,120 |
| 15 | Fairfield | $104,045 |
| 16 | New Britain | $103,928 |
| 17 | Hartford | $103,647 |
| 18 | Milford | $103,459 |
| 19 | West Haven | $103,417 |
| 20 | Torrington | $102,913 |
| 21 | Groton | $102,567 |
| 22 | Waterbury | $102,503 |
| 23 | Vernon | $102,149 |
| 24 | Glastonbury | $102,116 |
| 25 | East Hartford | $101,869 |
| 26 | Naugatuck | $101,394 |
| 27 | Enfield | $101,249 |
| 28 | West Hartford | $101,155 |
| 29 | Cheshire | $101,024 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Connecticut cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in Connecticut
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Connecticut?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut 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 Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 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