Occupational Therapist Salary in Mississippi: $97,020 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $97,020/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,209 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Biloxi ($98,387), Jackson ($98,340), Gulfport ($97,240).
Occupational therapist salaries in Mississippi show a clear trend below national averages. The projected average median salary for 2026 is $97,020, which is about 6.2% lower than the national median of $103,400. Within the state, Biloxi emerges as the highest-paying city for occupational therapists at $101,398, while Clinton offers the lowest salary at $81,475. This difference of $19,923 is influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Mississippi's occupational therapists must adhere to state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job opportunities and salaries. The state has seen a projected growth rate of 3.06% in this field, indicating a steady demand for occupational therapy services, driven by an aging population and increasing awareness of health and rehabilitation needs. With a total of 790 occupational therapists expected to be employed in the state, cities like Jackson with a projected salary of $101,349 and Gulfport at $100,216 also present favorable prospects. This combination of licensing requirements, local demand, and varying pay scales illustrates the dynamics of the occupational therapy job market in Mississippi.
Mississippi Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $60,033 (lowest entry-level) to $128,055 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi occupational therapists earn 6.17% less than the national median ($-6,380/year difference).
Mississippi Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Mississippi range from $75,583 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $114,259 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $97,020. The Mississippi median is $6,380 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $46.65/hr. Approximately 790 occupational therapists are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$79,534
2025 BLS Actual
$94,139
2026 Current Est.
$97,020
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,534 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,099 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,506 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,478 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,139 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,020 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.4% from $79,534 (2019) to $94,139 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,455 (25.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $81,475 |
| Laurel | $81,954 |
| Hattiesburg | $82,025 |
| Columbus | $83,327 |
| Hernando | $83,421 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biloxi | $101,398 | 85.7 | $118,317 |
| Jackson | $101,349 | 89.048 | $113,814 |
| Gulfport | $100,216 | 90.006 | $111,344 |
| Pearl | $87,774 | 85.7 | $102,420 |
| Tupelo | $87,754 | 85.7 | $102,397 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,583 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $97,020 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $114,259 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biloxi | $101,398 |
| 2 | Jackson | $101,349 |
| 3 | Gulfport | $100,216 |
| 4 | Pearl | $87,774 |
| 5 | Tupelo | $87,754 |
| 6 | Madison | $87,403 |
| 7 | Southaven | $87,170 |
| 8 | Horn Lake | $86,812 |
| 9 | Starkville | $86,173 |
| 10 | Ridgeland | $85,080 |
| 11 | Vicksburg | $85,080 |
| 12 | Oxford | $84,542 |
| 13 | Brandon | $84,454 |
| 14 | Meridian | $84,006 |
| 15 | Olive Branch | $83,841 |
| 16 | Hernando | $83,421 |
| 17 | Columbus | $83,327 |
| 18 | Hattiesburg | $82,025 |
| 19 | Laurel | $81,954 |
| 20 | Clinton | $81,475 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Mississippi 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 Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Mississippi?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi 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 Mississippi. 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