Occupational Therapist salary in District of Columbia
Occupational Therapists in District of Columbia earn a median of $109,170 a year ($52.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,810 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $100,330. District of Columbia ranks 4th of 51 states for occupational therapists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.78 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $110,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| 25th percentile | $96,800 | $46.54 |
| Median | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| 75th percentile | $125,130 | $60.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,810 | $62.41 |
| Average (mean) | $110,850 | $53.30 |
Half of occupational therapists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $9,097.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,548.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,198.85 |
| Weekly | $2,099.42 |
| Hourly | $52.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $109,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapist salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,960 | 2,640 |
Highest-paying states for occupational therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,510 |
| Oregon | $112,310 |
| Nevada | $110,520 |
| District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| Washington | $107,670 |
| Maryland | $106,980 |
| Colorado | $106,720 |
| Arkansas | $106,360 |
| Texas | $106,140 |
| Oklahoma | $104,300 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
| Veterinarian | $134,530 | $64.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1122. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in District of Columbia?
The median salary for occupational therapists in District of Columbia is $109,170 a year, or $52.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in District of Columbia earn at least $129,810 a year. The top 25% earn $125,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,760 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $96,800 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in District of Columbia?
About 540 occupational therapists are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.