PayByState

Louisiana · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Louisiana

Median $86,540 · Top 10% earn $98,690+ · Roughly 2,041 workers in Louisiana. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Louisiana median
$86,540
$41.61/hr
Top 10%
$98,690
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$55,690
Entry-level range
Real pay
$95,730
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.4)

Louisiana pays modestly below the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $86,540 versus the national median of $98,340. Louisiana's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 2,041 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Louisiana

Louisiana pays close to the U.S. median for occupational therapists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

Louisiana ranks #47 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Louisiana
#46 Kentucky $87,520 +$980
#45 Oklahoma $87,520 +$980
#44 South Dakota $87,520 +$980
#47 Louisiana (this page) $86,540 —
#48 Alabama $84,570 −$1,970
#49 West Virginia $84,570 −$1,970
#50 Arkansas $83,590 −$2,950
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Louisiana

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 Louisiana median of $86,540, payback periods are typically 2.8 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 Louisiana selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Louisiana — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Louisiana?
The median occupational therapist salary in Louisiana is $86,540 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $55,690; the top 10% earn $98,690 or more. About 2,041 people work in this role across the state.
How does Louisiana occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Louisiana's median of $86,540 is $11,800 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Louisiana's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $95,730.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Louisiana?
On the data: Louisiana employs roughly 2,041 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $86,540 and the top decile clearing $98,690. 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 Louisiana?
At the Louisiana median of $86,540 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $41.61/hr. The top 10% earn around $47.45/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $26.77/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Louisiana-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 Louisiana's RPP is 90.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.