Ranked results
Top metro markets for occupational therapists
Start with the rank, key stats, decision context, and the reason each option lands where it does.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #1 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #1, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH has $100,730 mean wage. BLS also estimates 4,790 jobs and a location quotient of 1.70, and 1.77 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH.
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Why we ranked it here At #2, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has $107,110 mean wage. BLS also estimates 11,640 jobs and a location quotient of 1.17, and 1.23 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ.
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Why we ranked it here At #3, Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR has $103,360 mean wage. BLS also estimates 760 jobs and a location quotient of 2.04, and 2.13 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #4 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #4, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX has $111,140 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,780 jobs and a location quotient of 1.51, and 1.58 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #5 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #5, Waterbury-Shelton, CT has $102,190 mean wage. BLS also estimates 380 jobs and a location quotient of 2.25, and 2.35 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (380 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #6 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #6, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA has $136,250 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,560 jobs and a location quotient of 0.63, and 0.66 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA.
Rank #7
Worcester, MA
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Why we ranked it here At #7, Worcester, MA has $96,420 mean wage. BLS also estimates 790 jobs and a location quotient of 2.17, and 2.27 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Worcester, MA.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #8 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #8, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT has $107,180 mean wage. BLS also estimates 750 jobs and a location quotient of 1.79, and 1.87 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #9 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #9, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has $137,450 mean wage. BLS also estimates 840 jobs and a location quotient of 0.71, and 0.74 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Rank #10
Victoria, TX
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Why we ranked it here At #10, Victoria, TX has $102,120 mean wage. BLS also estimates 100 jobs and a location quotient of 2.53, and 2.64 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (100 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
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Why we ranked it here At #11, Homosassa Springs, FL has $100,530 mean wage. BLS also estimates 100 jobs and a location quotient of 2.56, and 2.67 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (100 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
Rank #12
Jonesboro, AR
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Why we ranked it here At #12, Jonesboro, AR has $108,210 mean wage. BLS also estimates 140 jobs and a location quotient of 2.15, and 2.25 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (140 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #13 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #13, North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL has $96,990 mean wage. BLS also estimates 730 jobs and a location quotient of 2.06, and 2.16 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #14 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #14, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA has $118,500 mean wage. BLS also estimates 4,950 jobs and a location quotient of 0.76, and 0.79 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #15 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #15, Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT has $99,070 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,140 jobs and a location quotient of 1.82, and 1.90 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #16 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #16, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has $101,400 mean wage. BLS also estimates 5,960 jobs and a location quotient of 1.26, and 1.32 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #17 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #17, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA has $119,390 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,620 jobs and a location quotient of 1.01, and 1.06 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA.
Rank #18
Colorado Springs, CO
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Why we ranked it here At #18, Colorado Springs, CO has $111,980 mean wage. BLS also estimates 520 jobs and a location quotient of 1.58, and 1.65 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Colorado Springs, CO.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #19 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #19, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX has $113,410 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,600 jobs and a location quotient of 1.18, and 1.24 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX.
Rank #20
Winchester, VA-WV
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Why we ranked it here At #20, Winchester, VA-WV has $108,700 mean wage. BLS also estimates 140 jobs and a location quotient of 2.04, and 2.13 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (140 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #21 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #21, Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR has $112,010 mean wage. BLS also estimates 450 jobs and a location quotient of 1.57, and 1.64 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (450 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
Rank #22
Boulder, CO
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Why we ranked it here At #22, Boulder, CO has $123,360 mean wage. BLS also estimates 260 jobs and a location quotient of 1.31, and 1.37 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (260 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
Rank #23
Rochester, MN
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Why we ranked it here At #23, Rochester, MN has $91,300 mean wage. BLS also estimates 300 jobs and a location quotient of 2.31, and 2.41 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Where it falls shortSmall BLS employment base (300 jobs) can swing more sharply year to year.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #24 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #24, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO has $110,720 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,870 jobs and a location quotient of 1.11, and 1.16 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO.
Show ranking detailsHide ranking detailsWhy #25 ranks here
Why we ranked it here At #25, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD has $103,970 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,410 jobs and a location quotient of 1.13, and 1.18 OT jobs per 1,000 workers. Together, those figures show the area's pay, number of jobs, and how common OT employment is compared with the rest of the country.
Who it may suitOTs comparing metro offers with wage, job-depth, and concentration context.
Keep in mindNot cost-adjusted. Housing, commute patterns, and employer mix can change the practical value of Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD.
Decision guide
How to use this ranking
Use this ranking when comparing metro job markets, relocation targets, or negotiation leverage.
Use it this way
- Compare wage strength with employment depth, employment density, and location quotient.
- Treat smaller metros with strong density carefully if the employment base is thin.
- Add cost of living, commute, employer mix, licensure, and setting availability before moving.
Decision factors
- Are there multiple strong employers or only one dominant source of OT jobs?
- Does the metro support my preferred setting or specialty?
- Will housing, commute, and local taxes change the value of the wage?