Occupational Therapist Salary in Georgia: $106,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $106,402/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $114,288 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dalton ($111,580), Sandy Springs ($108,236), Atlanta ($106,160).
In 2026, occupational therapists in Georgia are projected to earn an average median salary of $106,402, slightly above the national median of $103,400, reflecting a 2.9% increase. There is a notable salary range across cities in the state, with the highest salaries found in Dalton at $114,994 and the lowest in Griffin at $94,897. This $20,097 discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and demographics of the workforce. The demand for occupational therapists in Georgia is supported by an annual growth rate of 3.06%, which highlights a steady need for professionals in this field. State licensing requirements and scope of practice laws align with national standards, ensuring that therapists are well-prepared to meet diverse client needs. Key cities contributing to job opportunities include Sandy Springs at $111,548, Atlanta at $109,408, Roswell at $106,927, and Athens at $104,173. Overall, the job market for occupational therapists in Georgia demonstrates positive trends, with employment opportunities expected to grow and salaries continuing to reflect the demand for skilled practitioners in various healthcare settings across the state.
Georgia Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $41,987 (lowest entry-level) to $145,460 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia occupational therapists earn 2.90% more than the national median (+$3,002/year difference).
Georgia Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Georgia range from $75,830 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $132,258 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $106,402. The Georgia median is $3,002 above the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $51.16/hr. Approximately 3,395 occupational therapists are employed across 40 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,619
2025 BLS Actual
$103,243
2026 Current Est.
$106,402
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,425 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,807 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,189 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,173 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,243 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,658 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 19.2% from $86,619 (2019) to $103,243 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,658 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,039 (26.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia 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 Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Griffin | $94,897 |
| Valdosta | $95,258 |
| Canton | $96,698 |
| Tucker | $96,928 |
| Peachtree City | $97,173 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton | $114,994 | 89.844 | $127,993 |
| Sandy Springs | $111,548 | 93.1 | $119,815 |
| Macon | $103,761 | 88.528 | $117,207 |
| Roswell | $106,927 | 93.1 | $114,852 |
| Brunswick | $100,535 | 87.708 | $114,625 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,830 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $106,402 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $132,258 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalton | $114,994 |
| 2 | Sandy Springs | $111,548 |
| 3 | Atlanta | $109,408 |
| 4 | Roswell | $106,927 |
| 5 | Athens | $104,173 |
| 6 | Macon | $103,761 |
| 7 | Alpharetta | $103,055 |
| 8 | Augusta | $102,936 |
| 9 | South Fulton | $102,936 |
| 10 | Rome | $102,534 |
| 11 | Brookhaven | $102,013 |
| 12 | Gainesville | $101,504 |
| 13 | Lawrenceville | $101,306 |
| 14 | Statesboro | $101,195 |
| 15 | Albany | $101,076 |
| 16 | Woodstock | $101,076 |
| 17 | Stockbridge | $100,926 |
| 18 | Pooler | $100,783 |
| 19 | Brunswick | $100,535 |
| 20 | Warner Robins | $100,319 |
| 21 | Marietta | $100,163 |
| 22 | Peachtree Corners | $100,150 |
| 23 | Johns Creek | $99,718 |
| 24 | Hinesville | $99,152 |
| 25 | Evans | $98,954 |
| 26 | Douglasville | $98,859 |
| 27 | Dunwoody | $98,854 |
| 28 | Savannah | $98,762 |
| 29 | Smyrna | $98,749 |
| 30 | McDonough | $98,330 |
| 31 | Newnan | $98,171 |
| 32 | Milton | $98,132 |
| 33 | Columbus | $97,474 |
| 34 | Kennesaw | $97,395 |
| 35 | Cartersville | $97,175 |
| 36 | Peachtree City | $97,173 |
| 37 | Tucker | $96,928 |
| 38 | Canton | $96,698 |
| 39 | Valdosta | $95,258 |
| 40 | Griffin | $94,897 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Georgia?
How does Georgia occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Georgia?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia 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 Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 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