PayByState

Pennsylvania · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Pennsylvania

Median $96,370 · Top 10% earn $114,950+ · Roughly 6,561 workers in Pennsylvania. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Pennsylvania median
$96,370
$46.33/hr
Top 10%
$114,950
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$62,020
Entry-level range
Real pay
$99,556
CoL-adjusted (RPP 96.8)

Pennsylvania pays close to the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $96,370 versus the national median of $98,340. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 6,561 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania OT pay is moderate. UPMC and Penn Medicine drive above-state-median pay; pediatric specialty roles in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are competitive.

Pennsylvania ranks #23 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Pennsylvania
#22 Virginia $97,360 +$990
#21 Maine $97,360 +$990
#20 Arizona $97,360 +$990
#23 Pennsylvania (this page) $96,370 —
#24 Utah $95,390 −$980
#25 Texas $94,410 −$1,960
#26 Wisconsin $94,410 −$1,960
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania median of $96,370, payback periods are typically 2.3 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 Pennsylvania selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Pennsylvania — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Pennsylvania?
The median occupational therapist salary in Pennsylvania is $96,370 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $62,020; the top 10% earn $114,950 or more. About 6,561 people work in this role across the state.
How does Pennsylvania occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania's median of $96,370 is $1,970 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Pennsylvania's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 96.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $99,556.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Pennsylvania?
On the data: Pennsylvania employs roughly 6,561 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $96,370 and the top decile clearing $114,950. 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 Pennsylvania?
At the Pennsylvania median of $96,370 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $46.33/hr. The top 10% earn around $55.26/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $29.82/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Pennsylvania-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 Pennsylvania's RPP is 96.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.