Occupational Therapists Salary in Santa Maria, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $119,920 +21.9% vs national
Median hourly $57.65
10th percentile $84,470
90th percentile $135,490
Employed locally 140
National median $98,340

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Occupational Therapists
in
Santa Maria, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $84,470
    25th
    $106,030
    50th (median)
    $119,920
    75th
    $132,630
    90th
    $135,490

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Occupational Therapists salary vs area income 125% Median Occupational Therapists salary is 25% 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 Santa Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $133,470
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $76,640
    Pharmacy Technicians $49,130
    Family Medicine Physicians $287,230
    Physical Therapists $121,330
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $50,870

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Occupational Therapists make per hour in Santa Maria?

    The median hourly wage for Occupational Therapists in Santa Maria, CA is $57.65, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $73.29 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria above or below average for Occupational Therapists salaries?

    The median Occupational Therapists salary in Santa Maria, CA is 21.9% 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 Santa Maria?

    Entry-level Occupational Therapists (10th percentile) earn around $84,470 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $106,030.