Occupational Therapist Salary in New Orleans, LA: $105,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in New Orleans, LA earns a median $105,657/year (≈ $50.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $114,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in New Orleans, Louisiana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $105,657, reflecting a competitive market that offers a salary range from $66,876 at the 10th percentile to $128,691 at the 90th percentile. This compensation is buoyed by regional demand and the potential for additional earnings through specialty certifications such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). The data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that occupational therapist pay in New Orleans surpasses the national median salary, which stands at $103,400 for the same year. With an annual growth rate of 3.06%, the prospects for professionals in this field look robust, particularly for those who strive to achieve extra qualifications and the associated salary premiums.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,876 | $32.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,657 | $50.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,552 | $54.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,691 | $61.88 |
Median Salary Position
2.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,815 (2026 est.). At $105,657, the local median is 2.18% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be above the median
How New Orleans Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $105,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $94,675 | +11.60% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +2.18% more |
Occupational Therapists in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $105,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.18% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 11.60% above the Louisiana state average of $94,675.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $105,657 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,104 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,930
2025 BLS Actual
$102,520
2026 Current Est.
$105,657
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $84,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,890 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 20.7% from $84,930 (2019) to $102,520 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,890 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,960 (28.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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) | $66,876 – $81,180 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,180 – $105,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,657 – $112,552 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,552 – $128,691 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in New Orleans
With 390 occupational therapists currently employed in the New Orleans area, the job market appears stable for candidates entering this profession. The cost of living index in New Orleans is 92.597, suggesting that the purchasing power for occupational therapists may be more favorable compared to many other regions. Employers are concentrated in various settings that influence salary outcomes, with skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offering higher compensation than outpatient settings or school contracts. The disparity in pay often stems from factors such as productivity expectations, year-round contracts, and additional stipends for board certifications like CHT. For those seeking to enhance their occupational therapist salary in New Orleans, focusing on specialized training and considering employment in high-paying facilities can yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in New Orleans, LA in 2026?
Is New Orleans, LA a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in New Orleans?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in New Orleans?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in New Orleans?
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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 $102,520 for occupational therapistsin the New Orleans 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