PayByState

Virginia · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Virginia

Median $97,360 · Top 10% earn $116,630+ · Roughly 3,791 workers in Virginia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Virginia median
$97,360
$46.81/hr
Top 10%
$116,630
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$62,650
Entry-level range
Real pay
$95,451
CoL-adjusted (RPP 102.0)

Virginia pays close to the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $97,360 versus the national median of $98,340. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 3,791 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Virginia

Virginia 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.

Virginia ranks #22 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Virginia
#19 Delaware $99,320 +$1,960
#18 Illinois $101,290 +$3,930
#17 Vermont $101,290 +$3,930
#22 Virginia (this page) $97,360 —
#23 Pennsylvania $96,370 −$990
#24 Utah $95,390 −$1,970
#25 Texas $94,410 −$2,950
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Virginia

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 Virginia median of $97,360, 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 Virginia selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Virginia — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Virginia?
The median occupational therapist salary in Virginia is $97,360 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $62,650; the top 10% earn $116,630 or more. About 3,791 people work in this role across the state.
How does Virginia occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Virginia's median of $97,360 is $980 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Virginia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 102.0), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $95,451.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Virginia?
On the data: Virginia employs roughly 3,791 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $97,360 and the top decile clearing $116,630. 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 Virginia?
At the Virginia median of $97,360 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $46.81/hr. The top 10% earn around $56.07/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $30.12/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Virginia-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 Virginia's RPP is 102.0 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.