Occupational Therapist Salary in Houma, LA: $85,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Houma, LA earns a median $85,251/year (≈ $40.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Houma's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.1), that paycheck buys what $100,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Houma, Louisiana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $85,251. This figure reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $103,400, putting Houma's compensation approximately 17.55% lower than the national average. The projected salary range for this role spans from $62,939 at the lower tenth percentile to as much as $130,505 for those at the top of the market. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupation Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, which indicate an evolving job market for occupational therapists influenced by recent Medicare cuts impacting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient therapy settings. With 120 occupational therapists currently employed in the region, opportunities remain in a competitive market, with prospects expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.06% over the next five years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,939 | $30.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,939 | $30.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,251 | $40.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,575 | $50.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,505 | $62.74 |
Median Salary Position
17.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,566 (2026 est.). At $85,251, the local median is 17.55% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houma Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Houma median: $85,251/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $94,724 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -17.55% less |
Occupational Therapists in Houma, LA earn a median of $85,251 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.55% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 10.00% below the Louisiana state average of $94,724.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 14.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.103 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $85,251 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,174 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,650
2025 BLS Actual
$82,720
2026 Current Est.
$85,251
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $94,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,551 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,860 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew -9.7% from $91,650 (2019) to $82,720 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,860 by 2027 — a total increase of $-3,790 (-4.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma 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) | $62,939 – $62,939 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,939 – $85,251 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,251 – $105,575 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,575 – $130,505 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Houma
Occupational therapist pay in Houma, LA, is particularly affected by the local cost of living, which stands at an index of 85.103—indicative of a relatively affordable environment compared to national averages. This means that while salaries are lower than in many regions, practitioners may find their purchasing power comparatively effective. The highest-paying positions are typically found in hospital inpatient rehab settings, with outpatient hand therapy clinics and private practices also offering competitive salaries, especially for occupational therapists with specialized credentials like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation. The variability in salary largely stems from factors such as the work setting, specific employer expectations around productivity, and seasonal contracts in educational settings. For those in the Houma market looking to maximize their pay, pursuing advanced certifications, focusing on roles in higher-paying environments, and negotiating contract terms can significantly enhance their overall compensation. Understanding these dynamics is essential for new and experienced therapists alike as they evaluate their career options in this Louisiana city.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Houma, LA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Houma?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Houma?
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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 $82,720 for occupational therapistsin the Houma 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, 6-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