Occupational Therapist Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Occupational Therapists in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$109,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$52.49
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $100,330
State Rank
#4 of 51
540 employed here

How much does an Occupational Therapist make in District of Columbia?

An Occupational Therapist working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $109,170 per year, or about $52.49 per hour. That is 9% above the national median of $100,330 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $81,760 while the top 10% make $129,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $96,800 and $125,130 a year.

Occupational Therapist salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$81,760$39.31
25th percentile (early career)$96,800$46.54
50th percentile (median)$109,170$52.49
75th percentile (experienced)$125,130$60.16
90th percentile (top earners)$129,810$62.41

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories for Occupational Therapist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$124,510
2Oregon$112,310
3Nevada$110,520
4District of Columbia$109,170
5Washington$107,670

Working as an Occupational Therapist in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 162,000 people work as Occupational Therapists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($109,170) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Occupational Therapist make in District of Columbia?
The median Occupational Therapist salary in District of Columbia is $109,170 per year, or about $52.49 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $81,760 at the entry level to $129,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Occupational Therapists about 9% more than the national median of $100,330. District of Columbia ranks 4th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Occupational Therapists?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $109,170 a year. About 540 Occupational Therapists are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Occupational Therapist salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.