State market profile
Pennsylvania OT job market
Compare Pennsylvania using BLS occupational therapist wage, employment, density, and concentration data from the May 2025 OEWS release, then review metro, school, and employer context.
State rank #12$98,460 mean wage6,560 OT jobs1.04 location quotient
Market snapshot
How Pennsylvania compares for occupational therapists
The state score balances pay, role depth, role density, and occupational concentration. BLS wage and job-market measures stay visible so readers can understand the rank.
Our take
Pennsylvania OT market assessment
Why it stands out
- BLS estimates 6,560 OT jobs statewide. That is enough depth to create real employer choice, though the strongest options may still cluster in a few metros.
- The 1.04 location quotient puts OT employment near the national concentration, so pay and employer quality matter more than occupational density alone.
- The mean and median wage are close, so the published average is reasonably representative of a typical OT job in the state.
Tradeoffs that matter
- Mean pay varies by $15,270 across the listed metros. The statewide rank hides a material location decision within the state.
What to compare next
- Compare the highest- and lowest-paying Pennsylvania metros before using the statewide $98,440 median in an offer decision.
- Put Pennsylvania beside New Jersey on job count and OT concentration; nearby ranks can be built from very different kinds of opportunity.
- Compare settings separately inside the state. A strong hospital market does not automatically mean equally strong school, outpatient, or home-health options.
How to read the numbers
What the state data means in practice
Statewide averages are a useful first comparison, but your decision still depends on the metro area, employer, clinical setting, and cost of living.
Pay shape
The mean and median wage are close, so the published average is reasonably representative of a typical OT job in the state.
Market depth
BLS estimates 6,560 OT jobs statewide. That is enough depth to create real employer choice, though the strongest options may still cluster in a few metros.
Role concentration
The 1.04 location quotient puts OT employment near the national concentration, so pay and employer quality matter more than occupational density alone.
Metro markets
Best Pennsylvania metro markets for OTs
Metro rows help separate statewide strength from the cities where jobs, wages, and OT concentration are actually concentrated.
| Metro | Rank | Mean wage | Employment | Concentration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD Score 56.8 | #25 | $103,970 | 3,410 | 1.13 LQ; 1.18 per 1,000 jobs |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Score 48.3 | #76 | $101,460 | 470 | 1.20 LQ; 1.26 per 1,000 jobs |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA Score 47.4 | #85 | $99,220 | 430 | 1.24 LQ; 1.29 per 1,000 jobs |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA Score 46.1 | #95 | $99,370 | 330 | 1.22 LQ; 1.27 per 1,000 jobs |
| Johnstown, PA Score 44.2 | #117 | $88,770 | 90 | 1.83 LQ; 1.91 per 1,000 jobs |
| Altoona, PA Score 43.6 | #121 | $88,840 | 110 | 1.73 LQ; 1.80 per 1,000 jobs |
| Pittsburgh, PA Score 42.9 | #131 | $88,700 | 1,170 | 1.01 LQ; 1.05 per 1,000 jobs |
| Williamsport, PA Score 42.6 | #137 | $100,450 | 70 | 1.39 LQ; 1.45 per 1,000 jobs |
| Lancaster, PA Score 40.8 | #162 | $100,830 | 240 | 0.90 LQ; 0.94 per 1,000 jobs |
| York-Hanover, PA Score 38.8 | #197 | $102,070 | 160 | 0.84 LQ; 0.87 per 1,000 jobs |
Programs
OT and OTA programs in Pennsylvania
Program supply matters for applicants, fieldwork access, and local clinical networks. These rows point to school profiles where available.
| Program | Location | Degree | NBCOT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carlow University Campus-based; next review 2031/2032 | Pittsburgh, PA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Duquesne University 25-49% distance; next review 2032/2033 | Pittsburgh, PA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Elizabethtown College 1-24% distance; next review 2030/2031 | Elizabethtown, PA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Misericordia University 25-49% distance; next review 2031/2032 | Dallas, PA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Saint Joseph's University 1-24% distance; next review 2029/2030 | Philadelphia, PA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
| Slippery Rock University Campus-based; next review 2027/2028 | Slippery Rock, PA | OT Doctorate | 100% |
Compare states
Other strong OT state markets
Use peer states to check whether a relocation, school decision, or salary negotiation is anchored in the right labor-market comparison.
Rank #1
New Jersey
$110,150 mean wage; 6,290 OT jobs; 1.41 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #2California
$121,920 mean wage; 13,810 OT jobs; 0.73 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #3Massachusetts
$99,730 mean wage; 6,510 OT jobs; 1.71 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #4Connecticut
$102,140 mean wage; 3,150 OT jobs; 1.77 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #5Arkansas
$104,940 mean wage; 2,160 OT jobs; 1.59 location quotient.
Open state profile Rank #6Colorado
$111,620 mean wage; 3,390 OT jobs; 1.13 location quotient.
Open state profile
Pennsylvania is a credible middle-tier OT market, not a destination that wins on labor data alone. The appeal is broad rather than salary-only: it combines a substantial employer base with at least average OT concentration. The $98,440 median is the better anchor for a typical offer than the higher or lower mean. Because the page includes 10 metros, the statewide result should be used to choose a region, not to value a specific offer.