Occupational Therapist salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Occupational Therapists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $130,420 a year ($62.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,390 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 5% higher than the California statewide median of $124,510. There are 1.0 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $131,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,900 | $47.07 |
| 25th percentile | $120,870 | $58.11 |
| Median | $130,420 | $62.70 |
| 75th percentile | $157,390 | $75.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,390 | $75.67 |
| Average (mean) | $131,980 | $63.45 |
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 | $10,868.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,434.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,016.15 |
| Weekly | $2,508.08 |
| Hourly | $62.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $130,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,870 | 840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $136,770 | 1,560 |
| Vallejo, CA | $135,000 | 100 |
| Chico, CA | $129,260 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $128,010 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $125,890 | 170 |
| Napa, CA | $124,490 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $123,200 | 170 |
| Salinas, CA | $123,180 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $122,990 | 230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,780 | 810 |
| Visalia, CA | $122,690 | 140 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,040 | 4,950 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $121,680 | 1,620 |
| Modesto, CA | $121,110 | 170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $120,570 | 300 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $119,530 | 1,110 |
| Merced, CA | $117,970 | 30 |
| Fresno, CA | $116,690 | 320 |
| Redding, CA | $110,230 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $110,170 | 100 |
| Yuba City, CA | $107,760 | 30 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 | $62.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,190 | $80.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $305,610 | $146.93 |
| Pharmacist | $161,940 | $77.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Veterinarian | $164,820 | $79.24 |
| Physician Assistant | $159,030 | $76.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,670 | $57.05 |
| Dentists, General | $175,950 | $84.59 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $134,880 | $64.85 |
| Acupuncturist | $91,350 | $43.92 |
| Optometrist | $122,150 | $58.73 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $103,760 | $49.88 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $130,420 a year, or $62.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $157,390 a year. The top 25% earn $157,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,900 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $120,870 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 100 occupational therapists are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.