Occupational Therapist Salary in Upper Arlington, OH: $95,989 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Upper Arlington, OH earns a median $95,989/year (≈ $46.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Upper Arlington's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $105,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Upper Arlington, Ohio, occupational therapists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $95,989 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $103,400, illustrating the regional wage context. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $71,286 at the 10th percentile to $120,420 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the different employment settings available to practitioners. Therapists have the option to work in hospitals, schools, or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), each offering different compensation structures, which also influences the work-life balance between year-round and school-year contracts.
About the Upper Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,286 | $34.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,922 | $38.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $95,989 | $46.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,401 | $53.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,420 | $57.90 |
Median Salary Position
7.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upper Arlington
In Upper Arlington, OH, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,134 (2026 est.). At $95,989, the local median is 7.17% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upper Arlington: You'd be above the median
How Upper Arlington Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Upper Arlington median: $95,989/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upper Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $101,254 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -7.17% less |
Occupational Therapists in Upper Arlington, OH earn a median of $95,989 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.17% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 5.20% below the Ohio state average of $101,254.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upper Arlington 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.
Upper Arlington, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $95,989 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,831 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% 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
$78,861
2025 BLS Actual
$93,139
2026 Current Est.
$95,989
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Upper Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,861 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,096 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,437 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,501 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,463 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,641 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,139 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $95,989 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,926 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upper Arlington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $78,861 (2019) to $93,139 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,926 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,065 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upper Arlington 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) | $71,286 – $79,922 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,922 – $95,989 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $95,989 – $111,401 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,401 – $120,420 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Upper Arlington
A total of nine occupational therapists are employed in Upper Arlington, indicating a relatively small but stable job market. The cost of living index in the area is set at 90.7, meaning that salaries stretch further than they might in higher-cost regions, improving take-home purchasing power. Employers such as hospital inpatient rehab units tend to offer higher salaries compared to school districts or early intervention programs, influenced by factors like demand for specialized skills and board certifications. Factors driving salary disparities include productivity expectations, certification stipends like those for the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, and the recent cuts to Medicare affecting outpatient services. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapist pay in Upper Arlington, pursuing additional certifications and targeting in-demand roles can be advantageous in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Upper Arlington, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Upper Arlington, OH in 2026?
Is Upper Arlington, OH a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Upper Arlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Upper Arlington?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Upper Arlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
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 $93,139 for occupational therapistsin the Upper Arlington 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 Upper Arlington 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