Occupational Therapists Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $82,060 -16.6% vs national
Median hourly $39.45
10th percentile $65,050
90th percentile $114,820
Employed locally 400
National median $98,340

Compare Occupational Therapists salary & buying power

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Occupational Therapists
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $65,050
    25th
    $78,920
    50th (median)
    $82,060
    75th
    $99,990
    90th
    $114,820

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Occupational Therapists salary vs area income 101% Median Occupational Therapists salary is 1% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Occupational Therapists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $134,720
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $133,850
    Vallejo, CA $129,830
    Chico, CA $128,980
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $128,960
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $126,220

    Nearby metros — Occupational Therapists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $128,960
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $105,050
    Grand Junction, CO $103,520
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $101,840
    Florence, SC $101,000
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $100,690

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $61,660
    Nurse Practitioners $127,540
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,650
    Pharmacists $135,970
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $62,960
    Physician Assistants $125,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Occupational Therapists make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Occupational Therapists in Durham, NC is $39.45, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.39 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Occupational Therapists salaries?

    The median Occupational Therapists salary in Durham, NC is 16.6% below the national median of $98,340. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Occupational Therapists in Durham?

    Entry-level Occupational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $65,050 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,920.