Occupational Therapist Salary in Springfield, OH: $97,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Springfield, OH earns a median $97,216/year (≈ $46.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Springfield's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.5), that paycheck buys what $107,442 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Occupational therapists in Springfield, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $97,216 in 2026, reflecting a local market impacted by Medicare cuts affecting skilled nursing facilities and outpatient services. The salary range for this profession runs from $69,669 at the 10th percentile to $136,122 at the 90th percentile. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a strong demand for skilled therapists despite some challenging market dynamics. The salaries in Springfield for occupational therapy reflect a slight underperformance compared to the national median of $103,400, but the projected growth rate of 3.06% suggests a healthy outlook for job stability and earning potential in the coming years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,669 | $33.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,953 | $40.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,216 | $46.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,033 | $58.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,122 | $65.44 |
Median Salary Position
5.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Springfield
In Springfield, OH, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,453 (2026 est.). At $97,216, the local median is 5.98% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Springfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Springfield Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Springfield median: $97,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Springfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $101,267 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -5.98% less |
Occupational Therapists in Springfield, OH earn a median of $97,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.98% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 4.00% below the Ohio state average of $101,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Springfield has a cost of living 9.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Springfield, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.482 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $97,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,442 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,500
2025 BLS Actual
$94,330
2026 Current Est.
$97,216
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Springfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,607 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Springfield metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 17.2% from $80,500 (2019) to $94,330 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,691 (24.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Springfield 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) | $69,669 – $83,953 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,953 – $97,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,216 – $122,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,033 – $136,122 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Springfield
With 40 occupational therapists currently employed in Springfield, the job market appears robust, although the cost of living index sits below the national average at 90.482. This lower index means take-home pay can stretch further, making Springfield an attractive option for OTs. In terms of compensation opportunities, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer the highest salaries, while school district contracts and early intervention programs usually pay less. Factors such as certification in hand therapy (CHT) can drive salary increases, as can productivity expectations and whether therapists are contracted on a school-year basis versus year-round. To optimize pay in Springfield, it's advisable for occupational therapists to pursue advanced certifications, network with local employers, and consider the variety of settings available within the community.
More salary data for Springfield, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Springfield, OH in 2026?
Is Springfield, OH a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Springfield?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Springfield?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Springfield?
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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 $94,330 for occupational therapistsin the Springfield 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, 4-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