Occupational Therapist Salary in Fort Wayne, IN: $89,229 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Fort Wayne, IN earns a median $89,229/year (≈ $42.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Fort Wayne's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $96,389 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Wayne, Indiana, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is $89,229, which positions local professionals below the national median of $103,400. Earnings in this field range from $44,460 at the lower end (P10) to $117,993 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting growth in this sector by an annual rate of 3.06%. Job settings vary greatly, with opportunities in hospitals typically offering higher compensation than roles in schools or skilled nursing facilities. For occupational therapists in Fort Wayne, the choice of practice setting can significantly influence salary outcomes, reflecting the importance of specific career paths within the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,460 | $21.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,852 | $37.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,229 | $42.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,131 | $51.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,993 | $56.72 |
Median Salary Position
13.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Wayne
In Fort Wayne, IN, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,533 (2026 est.). At $89,229, the local median is 13.71% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Wayne: You'd be above the median
How Fort Wayne Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Fort Wayne median: $89,229/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Wayne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $96,256 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -13.71% less |
Occupational Therapists in Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $89,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.71% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 7.30% below the Indiana state average of $96,256.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Wayne has a cost of living 7.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Wayne, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.572 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $89,229 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,389 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.02% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,090
2025 BLS Actual
$86,580
2026 Current Est.
$89,229
2019–2027 Growth
+4.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $83,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,229 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,960 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew -1.7% from $88,090 (2019) to $86,580 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,960 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,870 (4.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Wayne 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) | $44,460 – $77,852 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,852 – $89,229 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,229 – $107,131 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,131 – $117,993 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Fort Wayne
With approximately 300 occupational therapists employed in Fort Wayne, the local job market shows solid demand while presenting a favorable cost-of-living index of 92.572. This statistic suggests that, despite a median salary lower than the national average, therapists in Fort Wayne may enjoy relative affordability, enhancing their purchasing power. Among the various local employers, hospital inpatient rehab settings often provide the most competitive pay compared to outpatient clinics and school district contracts. Factors affecting the salary spectrum include credentials such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation, which can lead to premium compensation, particularly in specialized settings. To maximize occupational therapist pay in Fort Wayne, pursuing advanced certifications, specializing in in-demand areas, and considering productivity expectations across different employment settings can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Fort Wayne, IN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Fort Wayne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Fort Wayne?
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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 $86,580 for occupational therapistsin the Fort Wayne 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