Occupational Therapist Salary in Gulfport, MS: $100,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Gulfport, MS earns a median $100,216/year (≈ $48.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $111,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.1% above the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gulfport, Mississippi, the expected annual earnings of an occupational therapist in 2026 will average $100,216, which illustrates a competitive wage considering the local job market dynamics. Salaries will range from approximately $80,974 at the lower end to $123,579 at the higher end of the pay scale. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected for 2026, indicates that working environments—whether in schools, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), or hospitals—will significantly influence compensation. Occupational therapists in this area often face the decision between year-round employment or the more traditional school-year contracts, further affecting their take-home pay and job stability, given that hospital positions typically command higher wages compared to school-based roles and SNFs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,974 | $38.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,232 | $39.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,216 | $48.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,998 | $49.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,579 | $59.41 |
Median Salary Position
3.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,605 (2026 est.). At $100,216, the local median is 3.08% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gulfport Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $100,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,608 | +13.10% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | -3.08% less |
Occupational Therapists in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $100,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.08% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 13.10% above the Mississippi state average of $88,608.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $100,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,344 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$87,060
2025 BLS Actual
$97,240
2026 Current Est.
$100,216
2019–2027 Growth
+18.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $94,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,282 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 11.7% from $87,060 (2019) to $97,240 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,282 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,222 (18.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $80,974 – $82,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,232 – $100,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,216 – $103,998 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,998 – $123,579 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Gulfport
The job market for occupational therapists in Gulfport is robust, with about 200 professionals currently employed in the area. Cost-of-living factors, reflected in a cost index of 90.006, enhance the appeal of local salaries, making the take-home pay relatively favorable despite the slightly lower median when compared to national figures. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the highest compensation due to the increased demands and productivity expectations associated with these settings. Conversely, schools may offer lower wages, influenced by the structure of contracts and funding challenges. The disparity in salaries often hinges on specialized credentials, such as board certification for hand therapy, which can result in higher pay. For practitioners looking to maximize their earnings, targeting positions in higher-paying facilities and obtaining additional certifications can prove beneficial in the Gulfport, MS market.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Gulfport, MS in 2026?
Is Gulfport, MS a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Gulfport?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Gulfport?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Gulfport?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 $97,240 for occupational therapistsin the Gulfport 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