Occupational Therapist Salary in Oklahoma: $104,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oklahoma's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $104,920/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Oklahoma sits at BEA RPP 88.9 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $118,020 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Tulsa ($108,350), Oklahoma City ($103,080), Lawton ($98,940).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapists in Oklahoma is projected to be $104,920, slightly above the national median of $103,400, marking a 1.5% increase. The highest-paying city in the state is Tulsa, where salaries may reach $111,666, while Sand Springs offers the lowest at $84,489, resulting in a salary gap of $27,177. This difference is often driven by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the presence of larger medical facilities in urban areas. Oklahoma has specific licensing requirements that occupational therapists must meet, alongside laws defining their scope of practice. These regulations ensure that professionals are adequately trained and equipped to meet the needs of a diverse patient population. The demand for therapists is predicted to grow steadily, with an annual compound growth rate estimated at 3.06%. With a total employment figure of 1,136 occupational therapists in the state, the job market appears stable. Major cities like Oklahoma City, Lawton, Broken Arrow, and Norman reflect varying yet positive salary expectations, indicating a healthy outlook for the profession across Oklahoma. As the healthcare sector grows, opportunities for occupational therapists are likely to expand, affirming the importance of this role in enhancing patient care.
Oklahoma Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oklahoma: $61,134 (lowest entry-level) to $140,131 (highest top earner)
Oklahoma vs National Average
Oklahoma occupational therapists earn 1.47% more than the national median (+$1,520/year difference).
Oklahoma Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in Oklahoma range from $69,332 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $134,422 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,920. The Oklahoma median is $1,520 above the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $50.44/hr. Approximately 1,136 occupational therapists are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,342
2025 BLS Actual
$101,805
2026 Current Est.
$104,920
2019–2027 Growth
+25.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Oklahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,152 | Actual |
| 2021 | $84,712 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,905 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,509 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,131 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 17.9% from $86,342 (2019) to $101,805 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,789 (25.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
Lowest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sand Springs | $84,489 |
| Ponca City | $85,402 |
| Durant | $86,058 |
| Del City | $86,431 |
| Sapulpa | $86,694 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Oklahoma
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oklahoma cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | $111,666 | 89.214 | $125,166 |
| Lawton | $101,968 | 85.941 | $118,649 |
| Oklahoma City | $106,234 | 90.408 | $117,505 |
| Broken Arrow | $93,981 | 88.9 | $105,715 |
| Norman | $93,164 | 88.9 | $104,796 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oklahoma
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,332 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,920 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $134,422 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oklahoma metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Oklahoma
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa | $111,666 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City | $106,234 |
| 3 | Lawton | $101,968 |
| 4 | Broken Arrow | $93,981 |
| 5 | Norman | $93,164 |
| 6 | Enid | $91,924 |
| 7 | Moore | $91,917 |
| 8 | Midwest City | $91,098 |
| 9 | Yukon | $90,788 |
| 10 | Bartlesville | $90,182 |
| 11 | Owasso | $89,611 |
| 12 | Muskogee | $89,518 |
| 13 | Stillwater | $89,420 |
| 14 | Shawnee | $89,332 |
| 15 | Edmond | $88,728 |
| 16 | Tahlequah | $88,242 |
| 17 | Bixby | $88,105 |
| 18 | Jenks | $87,772 |
| 19 | Claremore | $87,586 |
| 20 | Altus | $87,150 |
| 21 | Ardmore | $86,993 |
| 22 | Bethany | $86,991 |
| 23 | Sapulpa | $86,694 |
| 24 | Del City | $86,431 |
| 25 | Durant | $86,058 |
| 26 | Ponca City | $85,402 |
| 27 | Sand Springs | $84,489 |
More Oklahoma Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Oklahoma cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Oklahoma in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Oklahoma?
How does Oklahoma occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Oklahoma?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Oklahoma?
Which Oklahoma city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Oklahoma. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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