Occupational Therapist Salary in Waco, TX: $104,606 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Waco, TX earns a median $104,606/year (≈ $50.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $113,026 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the forecasted occupational therapist salary in Waco, Texas, is projected to be $104,606, slightly exceeding the national median of $103,400, reflecting a 1.17% increase. The salary range for occupational therapists in this region spans from $73,018 at the 10th percentile to $135,854 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, which take into account a range of factors, including job market dynamics. The potential for higher compensation in Waco might be hindered by changes in Medicare reimbursement rates impacting skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and outpatient therapy services since 2022, adding complexity to the range of pay opportunities available in this market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,018 | $35.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,941 | $42.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,606 | $50.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,518 | $58.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,854 | $65.32 |
Median Salary Position
1.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,836 (2026 est.). At $104,606, the local median is 1.17% above the national median of $103,400.
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How Waco Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Waco median: $104,606/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $105,556 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +1.17% more |
Occupational Therapists in Waco, TX earn a median of $104,606 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.17% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.90% below the Texas state average of $105,556.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $104,606 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $113,026 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,260
2025 BLS Actual
$101,500
2026 Current Est.
$104,606
2019–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,606 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,807 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 20.5% from $84,260 (2019) to $101,500 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,807 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,547 (27.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $73,018 – $87,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,941 – $104,606 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,606 – $122,518 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,518 – $135,854 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Waco
Despite the challenges, Waco's local job market remains robust, with 130 occupational therapists currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, sitting at 92.55, suggests that purchasing power can be favorable, allowing practitioners to stretch their salaries further in this region. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings tend to offer the highest pay, while outpatient and school district contracts may have more variability due to client volume and service demands. The disparity between lower and higher salaries often arises from the setting's nature, certification stipends such as for Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs), and the influence of Medicare cuts on service pricing. To maximize potential earnings in Waco, occupational therapists should consider obtaining additional credentials, such as the CHT, and targeting employers that provide incentives for productivity and specialized skills.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Waco, TX in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Waco?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Waco?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Waco?
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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 $101,500 for occupational therapistsin the Waco 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