Occupational Therapist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Occupational Therapists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $102,960 a year ($49.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,150 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $100,330. Pay here is 6% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $109,170. There are 0.84 occupational therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $109,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for occupational therapists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,650 | $38.30 |
| 25th percentile | $93,140 | $44.78 |
| Median | $102,960 | $49.50 |
| 75th percentile | $128,850 | $61.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $138,150 | $66.42 |
| Average (mean) | $109,170 | $52.49 |
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 | $8,580 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,290 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,960 |
| Weekly | $1,980 |
| Hourly | $49.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $102,960 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winchester, VA-WV | $106,540 | 140 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $106,320 | 50 |
| Richmond, VA | $105,550 | 740 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $105,490 | 1,200 |
| Salisbury, MD | $104,400 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $103,140 | 3,410 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $103,060 | 130 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $102,840 | 130 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $100,930 | 140 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $100,680 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,400 | 830 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $98,930 | 140 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $98,800 | 50 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $98,780 | 50 |
| Roanoke, VA | $98,010 | 180 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $96,790 | 120 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $96,040 | 40 |
| Morgantown, WV | $94,330 | 80 |
| Beckley, WV | $93,820 | 30 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $92,580 | 60 |
| Charleston, WV | $91,520 | 80 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $86,490 | 80 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $208,710 | $100.34 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $166,230 | $79.92 |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | $72.38 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | $64.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Dentists, General | $184,540 | $88.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | $71.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | $57.30 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Veterinarian | $154,350 | $74.21 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $225,140 | $108.24 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for occupational therapists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $102,960 a year, or $49.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $138,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid occupational therapists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of occupational therapists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $138,150 a year. The top 25% earn $128,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for occupational therapists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,650 a year, and a quarter of occupational therapists earn $93,140 or less.
How many occupational therapists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 2,640 occupational therapists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.