Occupational Therapist Salary in Houston, TX: $106,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Houston, TX earns a median $106,750/year (≈ $51.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Houston's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.6), that paycheck buys what $108,234 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, Texas, the projected median annual occupational therapist salary in 2026 is $106,750, slightly surpassing the national median of $103,400. This competitive compensation reflects the diverse employment settings available to occupational therapists, whether in hospital inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), or schools, each offering different salary structures and work schedules. The local salary range starts from $81,201 (P10) and can reach as high as $145,026 (P90), according to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcasing the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and specialization. This variation offers a clear choice for therapists weighing year-round positions against those aligned with the academic calendar, influencing not only salary but also work-life balance in their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,201 | $39.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,869 | $42.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,750 | $51.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $128,928 | $61.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,026 | $69.72 |
Median Salary Position
3.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houston
In Houston, TX, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,825 (2026 est.). At $106,750, the local median is 3.24% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houston Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Houston median: $106,750/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $105,484 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +3.24% more |
Occupational Therapists in Houston, TX earn a median of $106,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.24% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $105,484.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houston has a cost of living 1.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.629 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $106,750 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,234 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,930
2025 BLS Actual
$103,580
2026 Current Est.
$106,750
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,580 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,016 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 20.5% from $85,930 (2019) to $103,580 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,016 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,086 (28.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houston 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) | $81,201 – $87,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,869 – $106,750 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,750 – $128,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $128,928 – $145,026 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Houston
The local job market is robust, with approximately 2,700 occupational therapists currently employed in the Houston area. With a cost of living index of 98.629, prospective employees might find that their take-home pay stretches further than in many other metropolitan areas. Among the highest-paying employers are hospital inpatient rehabs and specialized outpatient hand therapy clinics, where the potential for productivity bonuses and stipends for specialized certifications, such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), can enhance salaries. Factors influencing the salary range include the setting of employment, the impact of Medicare cuts on skilled nursing facilities, and the differences in contracts between year-round and academic year positions. To maximize earnings, occupational therapists in Houston should consider pursuing additional certifications like the CHT, which carries a premium, and explore contracting options outside traditional settings for more favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Houston, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Houston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Houston?
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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 $103,580 for occupational therapistsin the Houston 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