Occupational Therapist Pay

Occupational Therapist Salary in Oregon: $113,784 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $113,784/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $110,901 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bend ($114,870), Hillsboro ($114,651), Gresham ($112,246).

Occupational Therapist Salary in Oregon - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Oregon occupational therapist salary overview (2026)
$113,784
Avg Median Salary
$54.71
Avg Hourly Rate
1,381
Metro Employed
36
Cities

In 2026, occupational therapists in Oregon earn an average median salary of $113,783, which is 10.0% higher than the national median of $103,400. The highest paying city in the state is Bend, with salaries reaching $118,385, while Medford offers the lowest at $103,905, illustrating a significant salary gap of $14,480 between these two locations. This discrepancy can be attributed to various factors, including cost of living, demand for therapy services, and clinic settings prevalent in different areas. Oregon has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact occupational therapists. The growing population, combined with an increased focus on health care and rehabilitation services, enhances demand for professionals in this field. The job market for occupational therapists shows a positive outlook, with an annual growth rate of 3.06% projected for the upcoming years. Major metropolitan areas such as Hillsboro at $118,159, Gresham at $115,681, Portland at $115,530, and Albany at $114,088 also reflect strong earning potential, pointing to a healthy employment landscape for those looking to pursue a career in occupational therapy in Oregon.

Oregon Occupational Therapist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$85,746
avg across 36 cities
Median
$113,784
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$137,208
avg across 36 cities

Overall salary range in Oregon: $67,061 (lowest entry-level) to $154,852 (highest top earner)

Oregon vs National Average

Oregon
$113,784
National Median
$103,400

Oregon occupational therapists earn 10.04% more than the national median (+$10,384/year difference).

Oregon Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Oregon occupational therapist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $85,746, 25th $99,818, Median $113,784, 75th $130,526, 90th $137,208. US national median is $103,400.$38.4K$76.8K$115.3K$153.7K$85.7K10thEntry Level$99.8K25thEarly Career$113.8KMedianMid Career$130.5K75thExperienced$137.2K90thTop EarnerUS Median $103.4K

Occupational Therapist salaries in Oregon range from $85,746 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $137,208 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $113,784. The Oregon median is $10,384 above the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $54.71/hr. Approximately 1,381 occupational therapists are employed across 36 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$91,981

2025 BLS Actual

$110,405

2026 Current Est.

$113,784

2019–2027 Growth

+27.5%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Oregon (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for occupational therapists in Oregon. Baseline $91,981 in 2025, projected to $117,265 by 2027.$86.6K$95.6K$104.5K$113.4K$122.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$92.0K$91.7K$97.7K$99.6K$101.8K$103.5K$110.4K$113.8K$117.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$91,981Actual
2020$91,729Actual
2021$97,742Actual
2022$99,600Actual
2023$101,826Actual
2024$103,500Actual
2025$110,405Actual
2026(current)$113,784Estimated
2027$117,265Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 20.0% from $91,981 (2019) to $110,405 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,265 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,284 (27.49%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Oregon

#1
Bend
100 employed · $56.92/hr
$118,385
+4.04% vs avg
#2
Hillsboro
22 employed · $56.81/hr
$118,159
+3.85% vs avg
#3
Gresham
21 employed · $55.61/hr
$115,681
+1.67% vs avg
#4
Portland
730 employed · $55.55/hr
$115,530
+1.53% vs avg
#5
Albany
8 employed · $54.85/hr
$114,088
+0.27% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon

CityMedian Salary
Medford$103,905
Milwaukie$103,906
Klamath Falls$104,152
The Dalles$104,781
Newberg$105,912

Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Oregon

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Hillsboro$118,159102.6$115,165
Bend$118,385103.607$114,264
Gresham$115,681102.6$112,750
Albany$114,088102.6$111,197
Portland$115,530105.421$109,589

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Oregon

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$85,746
Mid Career (3-7 years)$113,784
Experienced (7+ years)$137,208

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 36 Cities in Oregon

#CityMedian Salary
1Bend$118,385
2Hillsboro$118,159
3Gresham$115,681
4Portland$115,530
5Albany$114,088
6Salem$113,057
7Corvallis$112,405
8Beaverton$112,387
9McMinnville$112,082
10Oregon City$111,951
11Eugene$111,284
12Woodburn$111,205
13Lake Oswego$110,670
14Forest Grove$110,380
15Tigard$109,916
16Redmond$109,881
17Springfield$109,847
18West Linn$109,564
19Grants Pass$109,169
20Tualatin$108,617
21Pendleton$108,607
22Wilsonville$108,450
23Happy Valley$107,519
24Hermiston$107,222
25Central Point$107,170
26Ashland$107,162
27Keizer$107,134
28Sherwood$107,128
29Coos Bay$106,949
30Roseburg$106,558
31Canby$106,499
32Newberg$105,912
33The Dalles$104,781
34Klamath Falls$104,152
35Milwaukie$103,906
36Medford$103,905

More Oregon Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Oregon cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new occupational therapists.

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 Oregon in 2026?

The average median occupational therapist salary in Oregon is $113,784/year across 36 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $103,905 in Medford to $118,385 in Bend. This makes Oregon one of the higher-paying states, at 10.04% above the national median of $103,400. The state employs approximately 1,381 occupational therapists.

What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Oregon?

Bend offers the highest occupational therapist salary in Oregon at $118,385/year ($56.92/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Bend ($118,385), Hillsboro ($118,159), Gresham ($115,681). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for occupational therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed occupational therapists.

How does Oregon occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?

Oregon's average occupational therapist salary of $113,784 is 10.04% above the national median of $103,400 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,381 occupational therapists across 36 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Oregon?

Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) in Oregon earn approximately $85,746/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $67,061 in lower-paying areas to $90,219 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many occupational therapists are employed in Oregon?

Oregon employs approximately 1,381 occupational therapists across 36 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the occupational therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which Oregon city offers the best value for occupational therapists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Hillsboro offers the highest purchasing power for occupational therapists in Oregon, with an adjusted salary of $115,165 (nominal: $118,159, CoL index: 102.6). This means your dollar goes 3% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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

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