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Occupational Therapy Salary in Texas: Is It a Good Career?

Texas · 2026 BLS salary data

Occupational Therapy pay in Texas

The median wage is $106,140/yr — 6% above the national median. Among U.S. states, Texasranks #9 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Texas

Real BLS state-level figures for Occupational Therapy.

Median salary
$106,140/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$85,810 – $127,830
National median
$100,330/yr
Employed in Texas
13,400

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Texas

Salary alone can mislead — Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
97.1
Nominal median
$106,140
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $109,310
State income tax
None

Because Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #7 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #9 on raw salary.

Texas levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do occupational therapy professionals make in Texas?

The median annual wage is $106,140 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $85,810 and $127,830. That's 6% above the national median.

Is Texas a good state for occupational therapy?

By raw pay, Texas ranks #9 of 51 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $109,310. Because Texas costs 3% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #7 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #9 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are occupational therapy professionals in demand in Texas?

About 13,400 people work in this field in Texas (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +13.8% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Occupational Therapy nationally — Texas pay is 6% above the national median. See the full Occupational Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Yes — occupational therapy combines strong pay, much-faster-than-average growth, and highly meaningful work. The main hurdle is the required master's or doctorate and the debt that comes with it.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong, above-median pay
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Deeply meaningful, hands-on rehabilitation work
  • Varied settings and populations
  • Good work-life balance relative to many health roles

Cons

  • Requires a master's or doctorate (OTD)
  • Significant graduate debt
  • Physically active, sometimes demanding
  • Productivity pressure in some clinics

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting meaningful, hands-on health care
  • Those who can invest in a graduate degree
  • Anyone valuing autonomy and patient relationships

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to pursue graduate study
  • Those seeking a fast, cheap entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Occupational Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.