Occupational Therapist Salary in Savannah, GA: $98,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Savannah, GA earns a median $98,762/year (≈ $47.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Savannah's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.2), that paycheck buys what $103,735 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median occupational therapist salary in Savannah, GA, is projected to reach $98,762, reflecting both local market dynamics and national trends. This figure is slightly lower than the national median of $103,400, illustrating the financial impacts of federal budget cuts to Medicare, which have affected compensation rates in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. The estimated salary range for occupational therapists in the area spans from $65,794 at the 10th percentile to $123,414 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of earning potential for professionals within this field. The data presented here is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, enabling a clear snapshot of occupational therapy compensation in Savannah's evolving healthcare landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,794 | $31.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,762 | $47.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,150 | $53.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,414 | $59.33 |
Median Salary Position
4.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Savannah
In Savannah, GA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,620 (2026 est.). At $98,762, the local median is 4.49% below the national median of $103,400.
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How Savannah Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Savannah median: $98,762/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Savannah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $102,027 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -4.49% less |
Occupational Therapists in Savannah, GA earn a median of $98,762 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.49% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 3.20% below the Georgia state average of $102,027.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Savannah has a cost of living 4.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Savannah, GA has a cost-of-living index of 95.206 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $98,762 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,735 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,690
2025 BLS Actual
$95,830
2026 Current Est.
$98,762
2019–2027 Growth
+36.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Savannah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,785 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Savannah metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 28.3% from $74,690 (2019) to $95,830 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,785 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,095 (36.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Savannah 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) | $65,794 – $83,530 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,530 – $98,762 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,762 – $112,150 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,150 – $123,414 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Savannah
Employment trends indicate that Savannah has around 130 occupational therapists, a figure that contributes to the overall health of the job market in the region. With a cost-of-living index of 95.206—below the national average—therapists in Savannah may find their salaries stretch further than in more expensive areas. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab services typically offer the highest salaries, while positions in school districts and home health agencies might lag behind. The spread between lower and higher earnings can often be attributed to factors such as specialized certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), workplace productivity expectations, and the differences in contract terms—year-round versus school-year. For occupational therapists keen to maximize their compensation, pursuing board certifications, particularly in hand therapy, and seeking employment in higher-paying environments could yield significant benefits in this competitive market.
More salary data for Savannah, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Savannah, GA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Savannah?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Savannah?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Savannah?
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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 $95,830 for occupational therapistsin the Savannah 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