Occupational Therapists Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $112,050 +13.9% vs national
Median hourly $53.87
10th percentile $85,060
90th percentile $145,680
Employed locally 1,260
National median $98,340

Compare Occupational Therapists salary & buying power

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Occupational Therapists
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $85,060
    25th
    $101,160
    50th (median)
    $112,050
    75th
    $130,570
    90th
    $145,680

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Occupational Therapists salary vs area income 110% Median Occupational Therapists salary is 10% 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 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

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $77,280
    Physicians, All Other $323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $70,240
    Pharmacists $163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Occupational Therapists make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Occupational Therapists in San Diego, CA is $53.87, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.15 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Occupational Therapists salaries?

    The median Occupational Therapists salary in San Diego, CA is 13.9% above 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Occupational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $85,060 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $101,160.