Occupational Therapist Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$97,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $100,330
State Rank
#31 of 51
2,190 employed here

How much does an Occupational Therapist make in Kentucky?

An Occupational Therapist working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $97,650 per year, or about $46.95 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $100,330 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $71,030 while the top 10% make $119,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,120 and $105,220 a year.

Occupational Therapist salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$71,030$34.15
25th percentile (early career)$80,120$38.52
50th percentile (median)$97,650$46.95
75th percentile (experienced)$105,220$50.59
90th percentile (top earners)$119,250$57.33

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 31st 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($97,650) 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 Kentucky?
The median Occupational Therapist salary in Kentucky is $97,650 per year, or about $46.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $71,030 at the entry level to $119,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Occupational Therapists about 3% less than the national median of $100,330. Kentucky ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Occupational Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $97,650 a year. About 2,190 Occupational Therapists are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.