Occupational Therapist Salary in Bellevue, NE: $91,615 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Bellevue, NE earns a median $91,615/year (≈ $44.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $100,126 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, NE, the occupational therapist salary is projected to reach a median of $91,615 by 2026. This figure reflects a broad salary range, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $65,879 and the highest 90% making about $122,269. Local salary estimates account for both BLS state-level data and regional cost-of-living adjustments, which are significant given Bellevue's cost of living index of 91.5, indicating that overall expenses are below the national average. The implications of Medicare cuts on skilled nursing facilities and outpatient services have also influenced compensation trends, impacting how much do occupational therapists make in Bellevue compared to other regions.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,879 | $31.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,250 | $36.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,615 | $44.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,009 | $51.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,269 | $58.79 |
Median Salary Position
11.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, NE, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,390 (2026 est.). At $91,615, the local median is 11.4% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $91,615/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $94,644 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -11.40% less |
Occupational Therapists in Bellevue, NE earn a median of $91,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $94,644.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $91,615 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,126 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,268
2025 BLS Actual
$88,895
2026 Current Est.
$91,615
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,268 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,446 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,817 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,386 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,427 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,895 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,615 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,419 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $75,268 (2019) to $88,895 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,419 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,151 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $65,879 – $75,250 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,250 – $91,615 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,615 – $108,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,009 – $122,269 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Bellevue
With only 15 occupational therapists currently employed in the area, Bellevue offers a small yet stable job market for this profession. The local cost of living contributes positively to take-home pay, considering most employers are also conscious of the financial strain on healthcare services due to reimbursement changes. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically provide higher compensation compared to outpatient clinics and school district contracts. Factors such as the setting of employment, additional board certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and variations in contracts between schools and year-round positions can create a wide disparity in occupational therapist pay in Bellevue NE. To enhance earnings, OTs in this market should consider seeking relevant certifications, such as CHT, and exploring opportunities in acute care settings where the pay tends to be more favorable.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Bellevue, NE in 2026?
Is Bellevue, NE a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Bellevue?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Bellevue?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Bellevue?
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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 $88,895 for occupational therapistsin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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