Salary distribution
Where California occupational therapists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $101,160 and $132,630, with a median of $119,470.
Occupational Therapists in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 74 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $113,942. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 22 | $94,120 |
| Level II — qualified | 29 | $112,320 |
| Level III — experienced | 8 | $124,987 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $142,979 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Occupational Therapists in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Stepping Stones Group LLC | OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST | 4 | $115,606 |
| TheraGen LLC | Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist | 3 | $138,000 |
| PRISTINE REHAB CARE, LLC | Occupational Therapist | 3 | $83,616 |
| EdTheory LLC | OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST | 2 | $100,942 |
| THERAPY WEST, INC. | Occupational Therapist | 2 | $83,929 |
| Golden Oak Holdings LLC | Occupational Therapist | 2 | $118,560 |
| Select Rehabilitation LLC | Occupational Therapist | 2 | $105,882 |
| Aegis Therapies, Inc. | Director of Rehab | 2 | $146,140 |
| Interstate Therapy Solutions LLC | Occupational Therapist | 2 | $89,440 |
| Interface Rehab, Inc. | Occupational Therapist | 2 | $110,240 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Occupational Therapist at Bayshore Therapies LLC$118,560ReddingDecided Dec 16, 2025I-200-25343-469669
- Occupational Therapist at Powerback Rehabilitation, LLC$104,000FremontDecided Dec 9, 2025I-200-25336-449866
- Occupational Therapist & Rehab Director at Rehab Specialists California, LLC$135,199Palo AltoDecided Dec 4, 2025I-200-25330-442128
- OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST at EdTheory LLC$100,027San JoseDecided Nov 28, 2025I-200-25324-425919
- Occupational Therapist at THERAPY WEST, INC.$84,240Los AngelesDecided Nov 25, 2025I-202-25323-419864
- Occupational Therapist at River Valley Healthcare & Wellness Centre, LP$133,120ReddingDecided Nov 24, 2025I-200-25322-415285
- Occupational Therapy Clinical Specialist at TheraGen LLC$138,000San JoseDecided Nov 21, 2025I-200-25318-409373
- Occupational Therapist at Golden Oak Holdings LLC$122,720Los GatosDecided Nov 19, 2025I-200-25316-402271
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Occupational Therapists pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Occupational Therapists in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 74 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $113,485.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | The Stepping Stones Group LLC | 73 | $113,485 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Blossom Pediatrics LLC | 1 | $138,840 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
Internship/residency
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Service Orientation
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Monitoring
Cross-functional
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Test and evaluate patients' physical and mental abilities and analyze medical data to determine realistic rehabilitation goals for patients.
- 02
Complete and maintain necessary records.
- 03
Plan, organize, and conduct occupational therapy programs in hospital, institutional, or community settings to help rehabilitate persons with disabilities because of illness, injury or psychological or developmental problems.
- 04
Plan and implement programs and social activities to help patients learn work or school skills and adjust to handicaps.
- 05
Evaluate patients' progress and prepare reports that detail progress.
- 06
Train caregivers in providing for the needs of a patient during and after therapy.
- 07
Select activities that will help individuals learn work and life-management skills within limits of their mental or physical capabilities.
- 08
Lay out materials such as puzzles, scissors and eating utensils for use in therapy, and clean and repair these tools after therapy sessions.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+13.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for occupational therapists in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$134,720
- San Francisco$128,960
- Sacramento$123,900
- Los Angeles$115,380
- San Diego$112,050
- Riverside$109,010
Compare Occupational Therapists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Occupational Therapists in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Occupational Therapists in California is $119,470.
- How does California compare to the national median for Occupational Therapists?
- The California median is +21.5% versus the BLS national figure of $98,308.
- What is the salary range for Occupational Therapists in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $82,090 and the 90th-percentile at $154,800, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Occupational Therapists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 13.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Occupational Therapists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.