Occupational Therapist Salary in Hilliard, OH: $95,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Hilliard, OH earns a median $95,872/year (≈ $46.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Hilliard's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $105,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapist in Hilliard, OH, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $95,872, which reflects a 7.28% decrease compared to the national median of $103,400. Salaries in this region range from $70,705 at the 10th percentile to $120,288 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the breadth of compensation available based on experience and workplace setting. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that occupational therapists working in diverse environments like hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), or school districts face different earning potentials, with hospital settings often commanding higher wages due to the increased pressures and responsibilities associated with inpatient rehab. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for aspiring professionals as they consider their career paths in Hilliard.
About the Hilliard Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,705 | $33.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,554 | $37.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,872 | $46.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,989 | $52.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,288 | $57.83 |
Median Salary Position
7.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilliard
In Hilliard, OH, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,583 (2026 est.). At $95,872, the local median is 7.28% below the national median of $103,400.
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How Hilliard Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Hilliard median: $95,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilliard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $101,237 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -7.28% less |
Occupational Therapists in Hilliard, OH earn a median of $95,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.28% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 5.30% below the Ohio state average of $101,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilliard has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilliard, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $95,872 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,702 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,765
2025 BLS Actual
$93,025
2026 Current Est.
$95,872
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Hilliard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,765 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,998 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,396 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,353 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,025 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,805 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilliard metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $78,765 (2019) to $93,025 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,805 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,040 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilliard 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) | $70,705 – $77,554 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,554 – $95,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,872 – $108,989 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,989 – $120,288 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Hilliard
The job market for occupational therapists in Hilliard, with nine professionals currently employed in the area, presents unique financial dynamics influenced by the local cost of living, indexed at 90.7. This affordability factor allows therapists to stretch their salaries further, enhancing their overall purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities tend to offer competitive rates, often dictated by patient complexity and reimbursement structures, whereas those in hospital settings may find higher pay complemented by productivity expectations. The pay gap between various roles can be attributed to factors such as the setting of care—hospital roles typically outline more demanding performance criteria compared to school contracts or SNFs—as well as the impact of the Medicare cuts on reimbursements. Aspiring occupational therapists might consider seeking certification as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) to maximize their earning potential in Hilliard, where this specialty can yield a significant premium in salary.
More salary data for Hilliard, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Hilliard, OH in 2026?
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Career Resources
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 $93,025 for occupational therapistsin the Hilliard 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 Hilliard 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