Occupational Therapist Salary in Pasadena, TX: $105,353 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Pasadena, TX earns a median $105,353/year (≈ $50.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $109,743 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Pasadena, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $105,353 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position relative to national averages, which stands at $103,400. The local salary range is broad, stretching from $76,150 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $141,113 at the 90th percentile. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reveal that despite potential impacts from Medicare cuts affecting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient therapy compensation, Pasadena's occupational therapy job market remains robust. This stability is critical, particularly in light of these funding challenges, and highlights the demand for skilled OTs in various settings throughout the area.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,150 | $36.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,784 | $41.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,353 | $50.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,400 | $59.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,113 | $67.84 |
Median Salary Position
1.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,963 (2026 est.). At $105,353, the local median is 1.89% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $105,353/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $105,564 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +1.89% more |
Occupational Therapists in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $105,353 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.89% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.20% below the Texas state average of $105,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $105,353 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,743 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,555
2025 BLS Actual
$102,225
2026 Current Est.
$105,353
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,555 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,186 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,778 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,353 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $86,555 (2019) to $102,225 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,022 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $76,150 – $86,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,784 – $105,353 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,353 – $124,400 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,400 – $141,113 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Pasadena
Analyzing the occupational therapy job market in Pasadena reveals a local workforce of 32 occupational therapists, with a cost-of-living index of 96, indicating affordable living conditions relative to national averages. Employers in Pasadena typically offering the highest compensation include skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, while positions in schools and home health agencies may offer less lucrative pay. Factors such as board certification in hand therapy (CHT) and productivity expectations significantly influence salary differentials. The choice between school-year versus year-round contracts also affects earnings potential. To maximize earning potential, occupational therapists in Pasadena should consider additional certifications and specialize in high-demand areas, which may lead to increased pay and job security amidst fluctuating reimbursement rates.
More salary data for Pasadena, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Pasadena, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Pasadena?
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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 $102,225 for occupational therapistsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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