Occupational Therapist Salary in Sugar Land, TX: $105,208 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Sugar Land, TX earns a median $105,208/year (≈ $50.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Sugar Land's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $109,592 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Sugar Land, Texas, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $105,208 in 2026. This figure positions them slightly above the national median of $103,400, indicating a competitive market for these healthcare professionals. The projected salary range spans from $76,097 at the 10th percentile to $141,261 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and workplace settings. Factors influencing the choice between hospitals, schools, or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) significantly impact compensation, particularly given the potential trade-offs between year-round and school-year contracts. With these dynamics at play, those targeting a career in occupational therapy in Sugar Land will find a promising job landscape tailored to diverse clinical settings.
About the Sugar Land Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,097 | $36.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,704 | $41.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,208 | $50.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,105 | $59.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,261 | $67.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sugar Land
In Sugar Land, TX, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,164 (2026 est.). At $105,208, the local median is 1.75% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sugar Land: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sugar Land Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Sugar Land median: $105,208/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sugar Land Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $105,524 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +1.75% more |
Occupational Therapists in Sugar Land, TX earn a median of $105,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.75% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $105,524.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sugar Land 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.
Sugar Land, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $105,208 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,592 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,435
2025 BLS Actual
$102,084
2026 Current Est.
$105,208
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Sugar Land (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,435 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,788 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,066 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,809 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,808 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,208 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,427 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sugar Land metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $86,435 (2019) to $102,084 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,427 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,992 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sugar Land 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) | $76,097 – $86,704 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,704 – $105,208 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,208 – $124,105 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,105 – $141,261 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Sugar Land
The local job market currently employs 21 occupational therapists, with a cost-of-living index at 96, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average. This lower cost of living can amplify the purchasing power of salaries in the area. When it comes to pay disparities, those employed in hospital inpatient rehabilitation generally enjoy higher compensation than their counterparts in school districts or SNFs. Additional qualifications such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential can further enhance earning potential. Factors like the setting, productivity expectations, and changes from Medicare reimbursement cuts often drive variations in salaries. To optimize earnings, aspiring occupational therapists in Sugar Land are encouraged to seek positions in higher-paying environments, pursue dual certifications, and consider productivity-based incentives, thus navigating their career towards the most lucrative opportunities available.
More salary data for Sugar Land, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Sugar Land, TX in 2026?
Is Sugar Land, TX a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Sugar Land?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Sugar Land?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Sugar Land?
Related Pages
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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 $102,084 for occupational therapistsin the Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land 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