How much does an occupational therapist make in Santa Cruz?
$130,400a year
Median yearly pay for occupational therapists in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $62.70 an hour or $10,870 a month.
- Hourly
- $62.70
- Vs. national median
- +30%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 365
- Jobs in the area
- 100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $97,900Median: $130,400Highest 10%: $157,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $97,900 | $47.07 | |
| 25th | $120,900 | $58.11 | |
| Median | $130,400 | $62.70 | |
| 75th | $157,400 | $75.67 | |
| 90th | $157,400 | $75.67 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for occupational therapists.
| San Jose, CA | $136,900 |
| San Francisco, CA | $136,800 |
| Vallejo, CA | $135,000 |
| 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 |
| San Diego, CA | $121,700 |
| 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 Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $431,000 |
| Physician | $305,600 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $291,900 |
| Dentist | $176,000 |
| Registered Nurse | $171,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,200 |
| Veterinarian | $164,800 |
| Pharmacist | $161,900 |
| Physician Assistant | $159,000 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $134,900 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does an occupational therapist make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $62.70 ($130,400 a year).
Do occupational therapists make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $130,400 against $100,300 nationally, 30% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $124,500, so Santa Cruz pays 5% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for occupational therapist pay?
4 of 365 metro areas with data.
How much does an occupational therapist make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $97,900 or less a year; the top 10% make $157,400 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.