Occupational Therapist Salary in Puyallup, WA: $103,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Puyallup, WA earns a median $103,638/year (≈ $49.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Puyallup's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $96,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Puyallup, Washington, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapists in 2026 stands at $103,638, slightly above the national median of $103,400. Local pay for OTs varies significantly, with a salary range extending from $78,813 at the 10th percentile to $132,317 at the 90th percentile. This range reflects the diverse settings available in Puyallup, including hospitals, schools, and skilled nursing facilities, with year-round positions typically offering higher compensation than school-year contracts. The local salary estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional living costs. As the demand for occupational therapy services continues to grow, understanding local market dynamics is crucial for both prospective and current therapists in Puyallup.
About the Puyallup Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,813 | $37.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,574 | $42.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,638 | $49.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,444 | $58.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,317 | $63.62 |
Median Salary Position
0.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Puyallup
In Puyallup, WA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,504 (2026 est.). At $103,638, the local median is 0.23% above the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Puyallup: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Puyallup Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Puyallup median: $103,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Puyallup Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $108,182 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +0.23% more |
Occupational Therapists in Puyallup, WA earn a median of $103,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $108,182.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Puyallup has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Puyallup, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,638 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,497 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,146
2025 BLS Actual
$100,561
2026 Current Est.
$103,638
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Puyallup (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,146 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,767 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,395 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,592 | Actual |
| 2024 | $100,784 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,561 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puyallup metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $85,146 (2019) to $100,561 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,663 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puyallup 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) | $78,813 – $87,574 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,574 – $103,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,638 – $121,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,444 – $132,317 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Puyallup
The job market for occupational therapists in Puyallup appears stable, with only 10 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index, reported at 107.4, means that salaries must be competitive to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab programs tend to offer the highest compensation, driven by the complex nature of rehabilitation care. Variability in salary reflects multiple factors: positions that require additional certifications, like the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, command higher rates, and productivity expectations can shift pay dynamics between different settings. Occupational therapists looking to maximize their salaries in Puyallup might benefit from seeking roles in high-demand areas, acquiring specialized certifications, or negotiating for productivity incentives to ensure their compensation aligns with the local market realities.
More salary data for Puyallup, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Puyallup, WA in 2026?
Is Puyallup, WA a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Can occupational therapists make $100K in Puyallup?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Puyallup?
How much does a occupational therapist make per hour in Puyallup?
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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 $100,561 for occupational therapistsin the Puyallup 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 Puyallup 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