How much does an occupational therapist make in San Diego?
$121,700a year
Median yearly pay for occupational therapists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $58.50 an hour or $10,140 a month.
- Hourly
- $58.50
- Vs. national median
- +21%
- Rank among cities
- 17 of 365
- Jobs in the area
- 1,620
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $92,790Median: $121,700Highest 10%: $152,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $92,790 | $44.61 | |
| 25th | $105,500 | $50.73 | |
| Median | $121,700 | $58.50 | |
| 75th | $130,400 | $62.70 | |
| 90th | $152,200 | $73.15 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for occupational therapists.
| San Jose, CA | $136,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $136,800 |
| Vallejo, CA | $135,000 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $130,400 |
| Chico, CA | $129,300 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $128,000 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $125,900 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $123,200 |
| Salinas, CA | $123,200 |
| Stockton, CA | $123,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $122,800 |
| Visalia, CA | $122,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $122,000 |
| Modesto, CA | $121,100 |
| Oxnard, CA | $120,600 |
| Riverside, CA | $119,500 |
| Fresno, CA | $116,700 |
| Redding, CA | $110,200 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $110,200 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Cardiologist | $493,700 |
| Psychiatrist | $335,600 |
| Physician | $333,300 |
| Physician | $323,100 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,500 |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $293,400 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $282,200 |
| Pediatrician | $262,700 |
| Podiatrist | $235,400 |
| Dermatologist | $233,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an occupational therapist make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $58.50 ($121,700 a year).
Do occupational therapists make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $121,700 against $100,300 nationally, 21% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $124,500, so San Diego pays 2% less.
Where does San Diego rank for occupational therapist pay?
17 of 365 metro areas with data.
How much does an occupational therapist make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $92,790 or less a year; the top 10% make $152,200 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.