Occupational Therapist Salary in Bellevue, WA: $114,332 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Bellevue, WA earns a median $114,332/year (≈ $54.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $106,454 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Bellevue, Washington, can expect a robust earning potential, with a median annual salary of $114,332 in 2026. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusts for regional cost variations, positioning Bellevue’s occupational therapist pay significantly higher than the national median of $103,400. The projected salary range spans from $77,317 at the 10th percentile to $158,773 at the 90th percentile, offering a wide spectrum of earning options that illustrate the depth of opportunity within this profession. With a notable premium tied to specialty certifications like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), reaching this milestone can further enhance earnings and career prospects in Bellevue's competitive job market.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,317 | $37.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,496 | $43.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,332 | $54.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,594 | $64.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $158,773 | $76.34 |
Median Salary Position
10.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,456 (2026 est.). At $114,332, the local median is 10.57% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $114,332/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $108,269 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $103,400 | +10.57% more |
Occupational Therapists in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $114,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.57% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 5.60% above the Washington state average of $108,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,332 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $106,454 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,931
2025 BLS Actual
$110,937
2026 Current Est.
$114,332
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,931 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,617 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,346 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,937 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,332 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,830 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $93,931 (2019) to $110,937 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,830 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,899 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $77,317 – $90,496 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,496 – $114,332 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,332 – $133,594 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,594 – $158,773 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Bellevue
In Bellevue, the labor market for occupational therapists is relatively strong, with around 26 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index sits at 107.4, which indicates that housing and daily expenses are higher than the national average. This cost-of-living reality can impact take-home pay and purchasing power for those working in the field. The highest salaries typically come from skilled nursing facilities or hospital inpatient rehab, with these settings offering added incentives for specialized certifications. The difference between the lowest and highest salaries often hinges on factors like workplace setting, board certifications, productivity expectations, and the nature of contracts—school-year versus year-round roles being a crucial consideration. To maximize occupational therapist salary in Bellevue, professionals should aim for positions in high-paying environments, pursue additional certifications, and enhance their skills aligned with in-demand specialties, ensuring they remain competitive as the field evolves.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Bellevue, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Bellevue?
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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 $110,937 for occupational therapistsin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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