Occupational Therapist Salary in South Bend, IN: $95,516 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in South Bend, IN earns a median $95,516/year (≈ $45.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in South Bend's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $102,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, Indiana, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is set at $95,516, which is slightly below the national median of $103,400. This figure reflects the range of earnings in the local market, where salaries can fluctuate between $61,661 at the 10th percentile and $119,148 at the 90th percentile. These insights stem from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026, highlighting the monetary potential for those in this essential healthcare profession. Particularly in South Bend, achieving a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential can significantly enhance earning potential, as specialized skills in hand therapy are often rewarded with premium salaries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,661 | $29.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,026 | $37.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,516 | $45.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,757 | $55.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,148 | $57.28 |
Median Salary Position
7.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Bend
In South Bend, IN, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,487 (2026 est.). At $95,516, the local median is 7.62% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in South Bend: You'd be above the median
How South Bend Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
South Bend median: $95,516/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $96,189 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -7.62% less |
Occupational Therapists in South Bend, IN earn a median of $95,516 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.62% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 0.70% below the Indiana state average of $96,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Bend has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Bend, IN has a cost-of-living index of 92.858 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $95,516 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,862 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,040
2025 BLS Actual
$92,680
2026 Current Est.
$95,516
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,516 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,439 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Bend metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 26.9% from $73,040 (2019) to $92,680 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,439 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,399 (34.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Bend 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) | $61,661 – $79,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,026 – $95,516 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,516 – $115,757 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,757 – $119,148 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in South Bend
Examining the local job market, there are approximately 140 occupational therapists employed in South Bend, which indicates a solid demand for services. The cost of living index stands at 92.858, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average and allowing for more favorable take-home purchasing power. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, often due to their higher reimbursement rates and complex caseloads. The variation in pay among positions arises from factors such as the setting—where hospital jobs often pay more than school district contracts—and the impact of board certifications like CHT on salary scales. Strategies for maximizing occupational therapist pay in South Bend include pursuing specialty certification, targeting positions within hospital systems, and being flexible with job settings to navigate Medicare reimbursement trends that can affect income potential across different environments.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in South Bend, IN in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in South Bend?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in South Bend?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in South Bend?
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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 $92,680 for occupational therapistsin the South Bend 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