Occupational Therapist Salary in Amarillo, TX: $105,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Amarillo, TX earns a median $105,513/year (≈ $50.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Amarillo's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $114,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Amarillo, Texas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $105,513, reflecting a modest 2.04% increase over national averages, which stand at $103,400. The salary range for this role ranges from $67,308 at the P10 level to $143,305 at the P90 level. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the compensation trends in an evolving healthcare environment. Since the implementation of Medicare cuts post-2022, the landscape for skilled nursing facilities and outpatient therapy has shifted, impacting overall compensation for occupational therapy within the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,308 | $32.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,687 | $36.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,513 | $50.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $130,196 | $62.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,305 | $68.90 |
Median Salary Position
2.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amarillo
In Amarillo, TX, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,997 (2026 est.). At $105,513, the local median is 2.04% above the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Amarillo: You'd be above the median
How Amarillo Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Amarillo median: $105,513/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amarillo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,400 | +2.04% more |
Occupational Therapists in Amarillo, TX earn a median of $105,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.04% higher than the national median of $103,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amarillo has a cost of living 8.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amarillo, TX has a cost-of-living index of 91.82 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $105,513 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,913 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,010
2025 BLS Actual
$102,380
2026 Current Est.
$105,513
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Amarillo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,742 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amarillo metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 13.7% from $90,010 (2019) to $102,380 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,742 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,732 (20.81%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amarillo 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) | $67,308 – $75,687 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,687 – $105,513 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,513 – $130,196 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $130,196 – $143,305 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Amarillo
Amarillo, with 130 occupational therapists actively employed, presents a local job market that is influenced by its cost of living index of 91.82, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of salaries, making the compensation more appealing relative to everyday expenses. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and acute care hospitals tend to offer higher pay compared to outpatient clinics and school positions, primarily due to the demands associated with inpatient care. The salary variation also stems from factors such as board certification stipends for certified hand therapists, productivity requirements, and whether positions are contract-based or year-round. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapist pay in Amarillo, pursuing specialized certifications like CHT and focusing on settings that offer higher compensation rates, such as hospitals, can be effective strategies amidst the shifting economic landscape.
More salary data for Amarillo, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Amarillo, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Amarillo?
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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 $102,380 for occupational therapistsin the Amarillo 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, 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