Occupational Therapist Salary in Starkville, MS: $86,173 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Starkville, MS earns a median $86,173/year (≈ $41.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $100,552 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Projected data for 2026 estimates the occupational therapist salary in Starkville, MS at $86,173, demonstrating a significant gap when compared to the national median of $103,400. The salary range for local therapists spans from $60,516 at the 10th percentile to $107,062 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data with regional price adjustments, reflect the local economic landscape, particularly in the face of challenges such as Medicare cuts that have impacted compensation structures in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. As Starkville's market continues to adapt, these salary figures indicate both opportunities and challenges for occupational therapists in the area.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,516 | $29.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,428 | $35.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,173 | $41.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,515 | $46.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,062 | $51.47 |
Median Salary Position
16.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,546 (2026 est.). At $86,173, the local median is 16.66% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be above the median
How Starkville Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Starkville median: $86,173/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,655 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -16.66% less |
Occupational Therapists in Starkville, MS earn a median of $86,173 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.66% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $88,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $86,173 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,552 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,796
2025 BLS Actual
$83,614
2026 Current Est.
$86,173
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Starkville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,905 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,313 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,655 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,338 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,173 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $70,796 (2019) to $83,614 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,013 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $60,516 – $74,428 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,428 – $86,173 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,173 – $97,515 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,515 – $107,062 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Starkville
In Starkville, only five occupational therapists are currently employed, highlighting a competitive job market. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, therapists may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost areas, creating an advantageous purchasing power relative to their earnings. Employers offering higher compensation typically include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, with outpatient hand therapy clinics and early intervention programs also providing competitive pay. However, the disparity in salaries can be influenced by several factors, including work setting, experience level, and any specialty certifications like the CHT credential, which can command a premium. Understanding the dynamics of job expectations—such as productivity benchmarks and contract lengths—can greatly enhance earning potential in stark contrast to the broader national averages seen elsewhere.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Starkville, MS in 2026?
Is Starkville, MS a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Starkville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Starkville?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Starkville?
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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 $83,614 for occupational therapistsin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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