Occupational Therapist Salary in Bethesda, MD: $109,161 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Bethesda, MD earns a median $109,161/year (≈ $52.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Bethesda's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $99,873 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Bethesda, Maryland command a competitive median annual salary of $109,161 in 2026, reflecting a strong local demand for skilled professionals. This figure surpasses the national median of $103,400, indicating an 5.57% wage premium for those working in this area. Salaries range from $78,063 at the 10th percentile to $145,145 at the 90th percentile, suggesting a diverse market with varying compensation levels based on experience, specialization, and employment setting. These salary estimates, grounded in 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost considerations, demonstrate the value placed on occupational therapy skills in Bethesda's healthcare sector.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($95,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,063 | $37.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,338 | $42.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,161 | $52.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,369 | $61.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,145 | $69.78 |
Median Salary Position
5.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,082 (2026 est.). At $109,161, the local median is 5.57% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethesda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethesda Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Bethesda median: $109,161/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethesda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $113,003 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +5.57% more |
Occupational Therapists in Bethesda, MD earn a median of $109,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.57% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $113,003.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethesda has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethesda, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,161 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,873 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,683
2025 BLS Actual
$105,920
2026 Current Est.
$109,161
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Bethesda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,087 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,372 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,293 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,161 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $112,501 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethesda metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $89,683 (2019) to $105,920 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $112,501 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,818 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethesda 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) | $78,063 – $89,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,338 – $109,161 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,161 – $128,369 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,369 – $145,145 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Bethesda
The local job market features approximately 18 occupational therapists, indicating a moderate size but suggesting a niche demand for services. With a cost-of-living index of 109.3, professionals in Bethesda might find their take-home pay somewhat diminished in purchasing power relative to national averages. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer the highest salaries in the region. The disparity in pay across different settings can usually be attributed to factors such as work environment (hospitals generally offer better pay compared to schools), the advantage provided by holding certifications like the CHT, and varying productivity expectations. To maximize their pay, occupational therapists in Bethesda should consider pursuing board certifications and exploring positions in higher-paying sectors while remaining mindful of the trade-offs associated with year-round versus school-year contracts.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Bethesda, MD in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Bethesda?
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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 $105,920 for occupational therapistsin the Bethesda 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
Salary data for Bethesda is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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