PayByState

Washington · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in Washington

Median $119,970 · Top 10% earn $158,160+ · Roughly 3,208 workers in Washington. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Washington median
$119,970
$57.68/hr
Top 10%
$158,160
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$77,210
Entry-level range
Real pay
$109,262
CoL-adjusted (RPP 109.8)

Washington pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $119,970 versus the national median of $98,340. Real purchasing power is $10,922 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 3,208 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in Washington

Washington sits in the top quartile of U.S. occupational therapist pay. The structural drivers are typical of high-pay states for this occupation: strong hospital system concentration, limited credential supply, or regulatory frameworks that compress labor availability.

Top-paying metros in Washington

Washington-area metropolitan areas with the highest occupational therapist medians.

Washington metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $100,800

Washington ranks #1 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Washington
#1 Washington (this page) $119,970 —
#2 District of Columbia $118,990 −$980
#3 New York $118,010 −$1,960
#4 California $116,040 −$3,930
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Education path for Washington

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 Washington median of $119,970, payback periods are typically 1.7 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 Washington selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in Washington — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in Washington?
The median occupational therapist salary in Washington is $119,970 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $77,210; the top 10% earn $158,160 or more. About 3,208 people work in this role across the state.
How does Washington occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
Washington's median of $119,970 is $21,630 above the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 109.8), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $109,262.
Where does Washington pay occupational therapists the most?
Top-paying metros in Washington include Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue at $100,800. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is occupational therapist a good career in Washington?
On the data: Washington employs roughly 3,208 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $119,970 and the top decile clearing $158,160. 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 Washington?
At the Washington median of $119,970 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $57.68/hr. The top 10% earn around $76.04/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $37.12/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Washington-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 Washington's RPP is 109.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.