PayByState

West Virginia · BLS SOC 29-1122

Occupational Therapist salary in West Virginia

Median $84,570 · Top 10% earn $95,560+ · Roughly 1,021 workers in West Virginia. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

West Virginia median
$84,570
$40.66/hr
Top 10%
$95,560
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$54,420
Entry-level range
Real pay
$100,201
CoL-adjusted (RPP 84.4)

West Virginia pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for occupational therapists — $84,570 versus the national median of $98,340. West Virginia's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $1,861 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 1,021 occupational therapists.

What drives occupational therapist pay in West Virginia

West Virginia 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.

West Virginia ranks #49 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. West Virginia
#47 Louisiana $86,540 +$1,970
#46 Kentucky $87,520 +$2,950
#45 Oklahoma $87,520 +$2,950
#49 West Virginia (this page) $84,570 —
#50 Arkansas $83,590 −$980
#51 Mississippi $82,610 −$1,960
See all 50 states →

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Education path for West 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 West Virginia median of $84,570, 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 West Virginia selected.

Occupational Therapist salary in West Virginia — FAQ

What is the average occupational therapist salary in West Virginia?
The median occupational therapist salary in West Virginia is $84,570 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $54,420; the top 10% earn $95,560 or more. About 1,021 people work in this role across the state.
How does West Virginia occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia's median of $84,570 is $13,770 below the U.S. national median of $98,340. After adjusting for West Virginia's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 84.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $100,201.
Is occupational therapist a good career in West Virginia?
On the data: West Virginia employs roughly 1,021 occupational therapists, with a median wage of $84,570 and the top decile clearing $95,560. 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 West Virginia?
At the West Virginia median of $84,570 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $40.66/hr. The top 10% earn around $45.94/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $26.16/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

West 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 West Virginia's RPP is 84.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.