Occupational Therapist Salary in Louisiana: $97,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $97,400/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $107,863 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($102,893), New Orleans ($102,520), Shreveport ($99,250).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is projected to be $97,400, which is approximately 5.8% lower than the national median of $103,400. The city of Metairie offers the highest average salary at $106,042, while Thibodaux presents the lowest at $83,461, creating a salary gap of $22,581 between these two locations. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for services, and the resources available in metropolitan versus rural areas. Louisiana's specific occupational therapy landscape includes particular state licensing requirements and defined scope of practice laws that may influence salary and employment opportunities. Demand drivers in Louisiana are shaped by an aging population and an increased emphasis on rehabilitation services, contributing to an anticipated annual growth rate of 3.06% for occupational therapists in the state. With a total of 1,879 occupational therapists employed in Louisiana, the job market appears stable, with opportunities available in various settings including hospitals, schools, and private practices. Understanding local salary projections and industry demands will be crucial for those considering this career path in Louisiana.
Louisiana Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $46,233 (lowest entry-level) to $145,652 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana occupational therapists earn 5.8% less than the national median ($-6,000/year difference).
Louisiana Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Louisiana range from $63,101 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $128,507 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $97,400. The Louisiana median is $6,000 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $46.83/hr. Approximately 1,879 occupational therapists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,971
2025 BLS Actual
$94,508
2026 Current Est.
$97,400
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,971 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,723 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,316 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,153 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,313 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,508 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,380 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 8.7% from $86,971 (2019) to $94,508 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,380 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,409 (15.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Thibodaux | $83,461 |
| Hammond | $83,674 |
| Houma | $85,251 |
| Lake Charles | $86,406 |
| Slidell | $87,282 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | $102,009 | 83.597 | $122,025 |
| Shreveport | $102,287 | 84.766 | $120,670 |
| Alexandria | $101,504 | 85.686 | $118,460 |
| Metairie | $106,042 | 90.3 | $117,433 |
| New Orleans | $105,657 | 92.597 | $114,104 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,101 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $97,400 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $128,507 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $106,042 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $105,657 |
| 3 | Shreveport | $102,287 |
| 4 | Monroe | $102,009 |
| 5 | Alexandria | $101,504 |
| 6 | Baton Rouge | $101,030 |
| 7 | Bossier City | $100,663 |
| 8 | Kenner | $92,763 |
| 9 | Ruston | $91,047 |
| 10 | Central | $90,956 |
| 11 | New Iberia | $89,692 |
| 12 | Natchitoches | $88,477 |
| 13 | Lafayette | $88,333 |
| 14 | Zachary | $88,057 |
| 15 | Sulphur | $87,552 |
| 16 | Slidell | $87,282 |
| 17 | Lake Charles | $86,406 |
| 18 | Houma | $85,251 |
| 19 | Hammond | $83,674 |
| 20 | Thibodaux | $83,461 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Louisiana?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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