Occupational Therapist salary in California
What occupational therapists earn in California and its metro areas, compared with the rest of the country.
Median pay$124,510$59.86 per hour
vs U.S.+24%U.S. median $100,330
Middle half earn$103,950 – $136,380Top 10%: $158,560+
Jobs13,8100.73× the U.S. concentration
Occupational Therapist pay in California cities
Metro areas as BLS defines them. Click a column to sort.
| Metro area | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,040 | $58.68 | 4,950 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $121,680 | $58.50 | 1,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,770 | $65.76 | 1,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $119,530 | $57.47 | 1,110 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,870 | $65.80 | 840 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,780 | $59.03 | 810 |
| Fresno, CA | $116,690 | $56.10 | 320 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $120,570 | $57.97 | 300 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $122,990 | $59.13 | 230 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $123,200 | $59.23 | 170 |
| Modesto, CA | $121,110 | $58.23 | 170 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $125,890 | $60.53 | 170 |
| Visalia, CA | $122,690 | $58.99 | 140 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $128,010 | $61.54 | 130 |
| Salinas, CA | $123,180 | $59.22 | 110 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $110,170 | $52.96 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $130,420 | $62.70 | 100 |
| Vallejo, CA | $135,000 | $64.90 | 100 |
| Chico, CA | $129,260 | $62.14 | 70 |
| Redding, CA | $110,230 | $53.00 | 70 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $121,110 | $58.23 | 70 |
| Napa, CA | $124,490 | $59.85 | 40 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $124,800 | $60.00 | 40 |
| Merced, CA | $117,970 | $56.72 | 30 |
| Yuba City, CA | $107,760 | $51.81 | 30 |
Hospitals and jobs in California
Occupational Therapist pay in similar states
Oregon · $112,310 Nevada · $110,520 Washington · $107,670 Maryland · $106,980 Colorado · $106,720 Arkansas · $106,360
Other healthcare salaries in California
Home Health and Personal Care Aides · $34,320 Registered Nurses · $140,270 Medical Assistants · $49,660 Nursing Assistants · $47,630 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses · $79,750 Dental Assistants · $50,110 Pharmacy Technicians · $55,110 Pharmacists · $164,610 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians · $76,010 Physical Therapists · $124,190 Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other · $60,390 Physicians, All Other · $281,590
Questions
How much does an occupational therapist make in California?
Occupational Therapists in California earned a median of $124,510 a year ($59.86 an hour) in May 2025, 24% more than the national median of $100,330. The middle half earned $103,950 to $136,380.
Where in California do occupational therapists earn the most?
Among areas in California, pay was highest in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $136,870.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all industries. Pay doesn't reflect cost of living, overtime or shift differentials.