Occupational Therapist salary in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
Occupational Therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn a median of $102,520 a year ($49.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,870 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 4% higher than the Louisiana statewide median of $98,490. There are 0.87 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,710, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| 25th percentile | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Median | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| 75th percentile | $109,210 | $52.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,870 | $60.04 |
| Average (mean) | $96,710 | $46.49 |
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 | $8,543.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,271.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,943.08 |
| Weekly | $1,971.54 |
| Hourly | $49.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Occupational Therapist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $99,250 | 150 |
| Monroe, LA | $98,980 | 130 |
| Alexandria, LA | $98,490 | 100 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $98,030 | 430 |
| Lafayette, LA | $85,710 | 150 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $84,690 | 180 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $83,840 | 70 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $82,720 | 120 |
| Hammond, LA | $81,190 | 70 |
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 |
See Occupational Therapist pay in every state or the Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $326,440 | $156.94 |
| Pharmacist | $128,100 | $61.59 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,800 | $60.00 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,650 | $45.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,580 | $59.90 |
| Dentists, General | $198,050 | $95.22 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $332,690 | $159.95 |
| Veterinarian | $128,360 | $61.71 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,180 | $35.18 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,280 | $103.98 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Orleans-Metairie, LA
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 New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area is $102,520 a year, or $49.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area earn at least $124,870 a year. The top 25% earn $109,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,890 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $78,770 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in New Orleans-Metairie, LA?
About 390 occupational therapists are employed in the New Orleans-Metairie, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.