PayByState

Arkansas · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Arkansas

Median $83,590 · Top 10% earn $94,010+ · Roughly 1,458 workers in Arkansas. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Arkansas median
$83,590
$40.19/hr
Top 10%
$94,010
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$53,790
Entry-level range
Real pay
$96,748
CoL-adjusted (RPP 86.4)

Arkansas pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $83,590 versus the national median of $98,340. Arkansas's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 1,458 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Arkansas

Arkansas sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. occupational therapist pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Arkansas ranks #50 of 50 states

Where Arkansas sits in the national distribution for occupational therapist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Arkansas
#49 West Virginia $84,570 +$980
#48 Alabama $84,570 +$980
#47 Louisiana $86,540 +$2,950
#50 Arkansas (this page) $83,590 —
#51 Mississippi $82,610 −$980
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Arkansas

The typical path is a master's degree (entry-level) + state license; otd increasingly required, taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $40,000 (community college) to $150,000 (private accelerated). On the Arkansas median of $83,590, payback periods are typically 2.9 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Occupational Therapist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Arkansas selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Arkansas — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Arkansas?
The median occupational therapist salary in Arkansas is $83,590 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $53,790; the top 10% earn $94,010 or more. About 1,458 people work in this role across the state.
How does Arkansas occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas's median of $83,590 is $14,750 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 86.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $96,748.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Arkansas?
On the data: Arkansas employs roughly 1,458 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $83,590 and the top decile clearing $94,010. The role is projected to grow +11% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for occupational therapists in Arkansas?
At the Arkansas median of $83,590 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $40.19/hr. The top 10% earn around $45.20/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $25.86/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Arkansas-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1122: Occupational Therapists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Arkansas's RPP is 86.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.