Occupational Therapist Salary in The Woodlands, TX: $105,473 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in The Woodlands, TX earns a median $105,473/year (≈ $50.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in The Woodlands's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $109,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in The Woodlands, TX, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $105,473 in 2026. This figure surpasses the national median of $103,400, highlighting the attractive compensation potential for professionals in this area. The salary range for this role is projected to extend from $75,999 at the 10th percentile to $141,789 at the 90th percentile, offering a substantial spectrum for earning potential. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living factors. As The Woodlands continues to support the growth in healthcare services, opportunities for occupational therapists are likely to expand, especially for those with specialty certifications like CHT, which can significantly enhance earning opportunities within the local market.
About the The Woodlands Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,999 | $36.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,023 | $41.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,473 | $50.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,520 | $59.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $141,789 | $68.16 |
Median Salary Position
2.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Woodlands
In The Woodlands, TX, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,790 (2026 est.). At $105,473, the local median is 2% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Woodlands: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Woodlands Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
The Woodlands median: $105,473/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Woodlands Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,400 | +2.00% more |
Occupational Therapists in The Woodlands, TX earn a median of $105,473 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% higher than the national median of $103,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Woodlands 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.
The Woodlands, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $105,473 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $109,868 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,653
2025 BLS Actual
$102,341
2026 Current Est.
$105,473
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in The Woodlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,653 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,009 | Actual |
| 2021 | $87,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,048 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,302 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,884 | Actual |
| 2025 | $102,341 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,473 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Woodlands metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $86,653 (2019) to $102,341 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,047 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Woodlands 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) | $75,999 – $87,023 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,023 – $105,473 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,473 – $124,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,520 – $141,789 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in The Woodlands
The local job market reflects a stable presence of 21 occupational therapists, indicating a well-established demand in The Woodlands. With a cost-of-living index at 96, professionals may experience a favorable purchasing power compared to other regions. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab centers, and outpatient hand therapy clinics often offer higher pay rates, with settings like hospitals generally providing generous compensation compared to school districts or early intervention programs. Factors influencing the salary variance include additional certification stipends, expectations of productivity, and contract types, particularly during the school year. To maximize pay, therapists should consider acquiring board certifications, focus on specialized settings, and negotiate effectively to leverage their skills in a competitive marketplace.
More salary data for The Woodlands, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in The Woodlands, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in The Woodlands?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in The Woodlands?
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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 $102,341 for occupational therapistsin the The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands 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