Occupational Therapists Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Occupational Therapists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV make a median of $105,010 a year, or about $50.49 an hour. The range runs from $77K at the entry level to $140K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $96,446 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 34.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $105K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria’s Regional Price Parity (108.88). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About occupational therapists
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) start around $77K. Mid-career wages sit at $105K. Top earners bring in $140K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Therapists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $119K | +21% | 12,020 |
| Oregon | $107K | +9% | 1,420 |
| Nevada | $105K | +7% | 1,090 |
| Oklahoma | $104K | +5% | 1,230 |
| New Jersey | $103K | +5% | 4,830 |
| Washington | $102K | +4% | 3,410 |
| Arizona | $102K | +4% | 2,390 |
| Connecticut | $102K | +4% | 3,000 |
| Maryland | $102K | +4% | 2,650 |
| Texas | $102K | +3% | 11,700 |
| Virginia | $101K | +2% | 3,670 |
| Alaska | $100K | +2% | 340 |
| Arkansas | $99K | +1% | 1,740 |
| District of Columbia | $99K | +1% | 530 |
| New Mexico | $99K | +1% | 860 |
| Rhode Island | $99K | +1% | 760 |
| Florida | $99K | +1% | 9,230 |
| Illinois | $99K | +1% | 7,410 |
| Georgia | $99K | +0% | 3,670 |
| Massachusetts | $98K | +0% | 6,250 |
| South Carolina | $97K | -1% | 1,940 |
| Kansas | $97K | -1% | 1,650 |
| Delaware | $96K | -2% | 480 |
| Tennessee | $96K | -2% | 2,490 |
| Ohio | $96K | -3% | 6,480 |
| Alabama | $95K | -3% | 1,390 |
| New York | $95K | -3% | 10,540 |
| North Carolina | $95K | -4% | 4,910 |
| Hawaii | $95K | -4% | 340 |
| Pennsylvania | $94K | -4% | 7,200 |
| Louisiana | $94K | -4% | 2,030 |
| Missouri | $94K | -5% | 2,850 |
| Indiana | $94K | -5% | 3,440 |
| Utah | $93K | -5% | 970 |
| West Virginia | $93K | -5% | 680 |
| Mississippi | $92K | -6% | 1,120 |
| Kentucky | $91K | -7% | 2,110 |
| Wyoming | $89K | -9% | 350 |
| Iowa | $89K | -10% | 1,170 |
| Idaho | $88K | -10% | 630 |
| Nebraska | $87K | -12% | 1,500 |
| Wisconsin | $87K | -12% | 3,620 |
| Vermont | $86K | -12% | 340 |
| Minnesota | $85K | -14% | 3,360 |
| New Hampshire | $85K | -14% | 1,080 |
| Michigan | $84K | -14% | 5,090 |
| Montana | $84K | -14% | 510 |
| Maine | $82K | -16% | 1,000 |
| South Dakota | $81K | -17% | 520 |
| North Dakota | $80K | -19% | 610 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track occupational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $105,010 a year, that works out to about $50 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $77,460, and experienced occupational therapists can clear $139,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $105K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,348/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month, which eats 35.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a occupational therapists salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational therapists salary is worth about $96,446 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.