State comparison · 2025
Occupational Therapists salary: California vs South Dakota
Occupational Therapists in California earn a median of $124,510. In South Dakota, $85,050. After cost-of-living, the gap is 17.2% — not 46.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+46.4%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+17.2%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Occupational Therapists
- Median
- $124,510
- p25
- $103,950
- p75
- $136,380
- p10
- $85,550
- p90
- $158,560
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -38%
South Dakota
Occupational Therapists
- Median
- $85,050
- p25
- $80,720
- p75
- $99,940
- p10
- $65,820
- p90
- $106,520
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.