Occupational Therapist Salary in Wichita Falls, TX: $104,833 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Wichita Falls, TX earns a median $104,833/year (≈ $50.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Wichita Falls's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $117,115 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita Falls, the average occupational therapist salary is projected to reach $104,833 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $103,400. This competitive financial outlook is supported by a salary range of $68,349 at the 10th percentile to $143,449 at the 90th percentile, indicating robust earning potential for both emerging and experienced professionals in the field. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures reflect the growing demand for skilled therapists, particularly those specializing in critical areas such as hand therapy, which can significantly enhance earning capabilities via the CHT specialty certification premium. Wichita Falls, as a developing hub for healthcare services, presents occupational therapists with diverse opportunities, making the city an appealing location for practice.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,349 | $32.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,952 | $40.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,833 | $50.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,527 | $60.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,449 | $68.97 |
Median Salary Position
1.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita Falls
In Wichita Falls, TX, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,100 (2026 est.). At $104,833, the local median is 1.39% above the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Wichita Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Falls Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Wichita Falls median: $104,833/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $105,465 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +1.39% more |
Occupational Therapists in Wichita Falls, TX earn a median of $104,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.39% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 0.60% below the Texas state average of $105,465.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita Falls has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita Falls, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.513 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $104,833 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $117,115 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$81,230
2025 BLS Actual
$101,720
2026 Current Est.
$104,833
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Wichita Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $81,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,475 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,833 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,041 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita Falls metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 25.2% from $81,230 (2019) to $101,720 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,041 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,811 (33.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita Falls 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) | $68,349 – $84,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,952 – $104,833 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,833 – $126,527 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,527 – $143,449 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Wichita Falls
Wichita Falls showcases a relatively stable job market with approximately 70 occupational therapists currently employed in the area. The local cost of living is lower than the national average, with a cost-of-living index at 89.513, which can positively impact take-home pay by allowing individuals to stretch their earnings further. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers tend to offer the highest compensation for therapy services, while outpatient clinics and school contracts may fall at the lower end of the pay spectrum. The variation in salary can largely be attributed to the work setting—hospital-based roles generally provide higher wages compared to school contracts due to the demands and productivity expectations in acute care. Occupational therapists looking to maximize their earnings in this market should consider obtaining board certifications, particularly in niche areas such as the CHT credential, to enhance their qualifications and positioning for higher-paying roles.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Wichita Falls, TX in 2026?
Is Wichita Falls, TX a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Wichita Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Wichita Falls?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Wichita Falls?
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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 $101,720 for occupational therapistsin the Wichita Falls 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, 6-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