Occupational Therapist salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Occupational Therapists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $99,400 a year ($47.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,370 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 1% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $100,710. There are 1.1 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,140, close to the median.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| 25th percentile | $79,540 | $38.24 |
| Median | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| 75th percentile | $116,490 | $56.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,370 | $63.16 |
| Average (mean) | $96,140 | $46.22 |
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 | $8,283.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,141.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,823.08 |
| Weekly | $1,911.54 |
| Hourly | $47.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $99,400 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Winchester, VA-WV | $106,540 | 140 |
| Richmond, VA | $105,550 | 740 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $103,060 | 130 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,960 | 2,640 |
| Greenville, NC | $101,360 | 130 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $100,930 | 140 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $100,780 | 40 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $100,160 | 120 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $98,800 | 50 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $98,780 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,450 | 1,140 |
| Roanoke, VA | $98,010 | 180 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $96,820 | 270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $96,790 | 120 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $93,780 | 260 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $86,870 | 30 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $86,490 | 80 |
| Wilmington, NC | $86,420 | 260 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $85,540 | 40 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $84,080 | 680 |
| Asheville, NC | $83,660 | 210 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $83,160 | 390 |
| Burlington, NC | $82,640 | 80 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $81,450 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $81,240 | 200 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | $43.00 |
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Physicians, All Other | $266,280 | $128.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | $47.05 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | $60.78 |
| Dentists, General | $177,400 | $85.29 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $213,690 | $102.73 |
| Veterinarian | $122,010 | $58.66 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Cardiologist | $430,900 | $207.16 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $99,400 a year, or $47.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $131,370 a year. The top 25% earn $116,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,000 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $79,540 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 830 occupational therapists are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.