Occupational Therapist Salary in Delaware: $99,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $99,653/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $97,987 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($104,902), Newark ($101,378), Bear ($97,782).
In Delaware, the average median salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is projected to be $99,653, which is slightly below the national average of $103,400, resulting in a 3.6% wage gap. The highest salaries can be found in Wilmington, with an average of $108,112, while Middletown offers the lowest at $97,161, reflecting a difference of $10,951. This disparity is often driven by factors such as cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Delaware has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that occupational therapists must navigate. The demand for these professionals is influenced by the state's aging population and a growing focus on rehabilitation services. With a total of 112 occupational therapists employed in the state, Delaware's job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.06%, indicating a positive outlook for the profession. Other cities, such as Newark ($104,480), Bear ($100,774), Dover ($98,536), and Smyrna ($97,422), show salaries that fall in between the highest and lowest, providing various options for practitioners in the state. Potential occupational therapists should consider these factors when evaluating their career paths in Delaware.
Delaware Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $66,268 (lowest entry-level) to $140,935 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware occupational therapists earn 3.62% less than the national median ($-3,747/year difference).
Delaware Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Delaware range from $68,953 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $137,041 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $99,653. The Delaware median is $3,747 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $47.91/hr. Approximately 112 occupational therapists are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,420
2025 BLS Actual
$96,694
2026 Current Est.
$99,653
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,366 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,694 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 35.4% from $71,420 (2019) to $96,694 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,282 (43.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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 Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $97,161 |
| Smyrna | $97,422 |
| Dover | $98,536 |
| Bear | $100,774 |
| Newark | $104,480 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $108,112 | 101.7 | $106,305 |
| Newark | $104,480 | 101.7 | $102,734 |
| Dover | $98,536 | 97.507 | $101,055 |
| Bear | $100,774 | 101.7 | $99,089 |
| Smyrna | $97,422 | 101.7 | $95,794 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $68,953 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $99,653 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $137,041 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $108,112 |
| 2 | Newark | $104,480 |
| 3 | Bear | $100,774 |
| 4 | Dover | $98,536 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $97,422 |
| 6 | Middletown | $97,161 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Delaware?
How does Delaware occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Delaware?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware 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 Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 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