Occupational Therapist Salary in Lewiston, ID: $97,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Lewiston, ID earns a median $97,146/year (≈ $46.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $101,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Lewiston, Idaho, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $97,146 in 2026, which represents a slight decrease compared to the national median of $103,400. Salaries in this field range from $74,556 at the 10th percentile to $124,827 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and the types of settings in which therapists work. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, along with local cost adjustments. The local market is also bracing for the potential impacts of Medicare cuts on skilled nursing facilities and outpatient services, which could influence both employment opportunities and salary levels for occupational therapists in Lewiston.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,556 | $35.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,590 | $39.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,146 | $46.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,229 | $53.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,827 | $60.01 |
Median Salary Position
6.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,271 (2026 est.). At $97,146, the local median is 6.05% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $97,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $100,984 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -6.05% less |
Occupational Therapists in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $97,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.05% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 3.80% below the Idaho state average of $100,984.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $97,146 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,937 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,812
2025 BLS Actual
$94,262
2026 Current Est.
$97,146
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,812 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,395 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,544 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,262 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,119 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $79,812 (2019) to $94,262 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,119 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,307 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $74,556 – $82,590 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,590 – $97,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,146 – $112,229 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,229 – $124,827 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Lewiston
With only eight occupational therapists currently employed in Lewiston, the local job market is quite specialized. The region's cost-of-living index stands at 95.3, which indicates lower living expenses compared to the national average, thereby enhancing the purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and outpatient hand therapy clinics, which can often pay above the median due to the complexity of care provided. Conversely, positions within school districts or early intervention programs may offer lower pay but provide greater job stability. Variability in occupational therapist pay in Lewiston can result from factors such as hospital settings commanding higher salaries than skilled nursing facilities or educational positions, productivity expectations, and whether therapists hold special certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation. Maximizing pay in this market involves seeking opportunities for board certification, specializing in high-demand areas like hand therapy, and considering year-round contracts to mitigate the impacts of annual salary fluctuations associated with school-year-based employment.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Lewiston, ID in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Lewiston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Lewiston?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Lewiston?
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Career Resources
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 $94,262 for occupational therapistsin the Lewiston 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
Salary data for Lewiston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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