Ranked results
Top state markets for occupational therapists
Start with the rank, key stats, decision context, and the reason each option lands where it does.
Rank #1
New Jersey
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Why we ranked it here At #1, New Jersey has $110,150 mean wage. BLS also estimates 6,290 jobs and a location quotient of 1.41. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of New Jersey.
Rank #2
California
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Why we ranked it here At #2, California has $121,920 mean wage. BLS also estimates 13,810 jobs and a location quotient of 0.73. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of California.
Rank #3
Massachusetts
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Why we ranked it here At #3, Massachusetts has $99,730 mean wage. BLS also estimates 6,510 jobs and a location quotient of 1.71. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Massachusetts.
Rank #4
Connecticut
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Why we ranked it here At #4, Connecticut has $102,140 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,150 jobs and a location quotient of 1.77. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Connecticut.
Rank #5
Arkansas
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Why we ranked it here At #5, Arkansas has $104,940 mean wage. BLS also estimates 2,160 jobs and a location quotient of 1.59. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Arkansas.
Rank #6
Colorado
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Why we ranked it here At #6, Colorado has $111,620 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,390 jobs and a location quotient of 1.13. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Colorado.
Rank #7
Texas
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Why we ranked it here At #7, Texas has $107,630 mean wage. BLS also estimates 13,400 jobs and a location quotient of 0.91. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Texas.
Rank #8
Illinois
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Why we ranked it here At #8, Illinois has $99,570 mean wage. BLS also estimates 7,710 jobs and a location quotient of 1.21. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Illinois.
Rank #9
New York
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Why we ranked it here At #9, New York has $97,650 mean wage. BLS also estimates 11,690 jobs and a location quotient of 1.15. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of New York.
Rank #10
Washington
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Why we ranked it here At #10, Washington has $110,100 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,340 jobs and a location quotient of 0.90. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Washington.
Rank #11
Ohio
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Why we ranked it here At #11, Ohio has $97,390 mean wage. BLS also estimates 6,760 jobs and a location quotient of 1.17. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Ohio.
Rank #12
Pennsylvania
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Why we ranked it here At #12, Pennsylvania has $98,460 mean wage. BLS also estimates 6,560 jobs and a location quotient of 1.04. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Pennsylvania.
Rank #13
Florida
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Why we ranked it here At #13, Florida has $95,620 mean wage. BLS also estimates 10,650 jobs and a location quotient of 1.03. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Florida.
Rank #14
Rhode Island
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Why we ranked it here At #14, Rhode Island has $99,380 mean wage. BLS also estimates 770 jobs and a location quotient of 1.47. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Rhode Island.
Rank #15
Virginia
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Why we ranked it here At #15, Virginia has $102,130 mean wage. BLS also estimates 4,150 jobs and a location quotient of 0.97. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Virginia.
Rank #16
New Hampshire
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Why we ranked it here At #16, New Hampshire has $89,080 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,240 jobs and a location quotient of 1.74. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of New Hampshire.
Rank #17
Alaska
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Why we ranked it here At #17, Alaska has $108,000 mean wage. BLS also estimates 410 jobs and a location quotient of 1.20. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Alaska.
Rank #18
Indiana
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Why we ranked it here At #18, Indiana has $96,090 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,830 jobs and a location quotient of 1.14. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Indiana.
Rank #19
Maryland
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Why we ranked it here At #19, Maryland has $106,300 mean wage. BLS also estimates 2,390 jobs and a location quotient of 0.83. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Maryland.
Rank #20
Arizona
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Why we ranked it here At #20, Arizona has $104,960 mean wage. BLS also estimates 2,680 jobs and a location quotient of 0.79. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Arizona.
Rank #21
Maine
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Why we ranked it here At #21, Maine has $87,900 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,120 jobs and a location quotient of 1.68. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Maine.
Rank #22
New Mexico
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Why we ranked it here At #22, New Mexico has $101,800 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,030 jobs and a location quotient of 1.14. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of New Mexico.
Rank #23
Missouri
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Why we ranked it here At #23, Missouri has $95,200 mean wage. BLS also estimates 3,400 jobs and a location quotient of 1.11. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Missouri.
Rank #24
Nevada
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Why we ranked it here At #24, Nevada has $112,290 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,080 jobs and a location quotient of 0.67. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Nevada.
Rank #25
Nebraska
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Why we ranked it here At #25, Nebraska has $91,620 mean wage. BLS also estimates 1,500 jobs and a location quotient of 1.40. 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 statewide wage strength, job depth, and concentration before relocating or negotiating.
Keep in mindState averages are not cost-adjusted. Metro wages, housing costs, and employer mix can change the practical value of Nebraska.
Decision guide
How to use this ranking
Use this ranking when comparing relocation options, state licensure plans, or broad labor-market strength.
Use it this way
- Treat state rank as a first screen, then open metro profiles when comparing where to live.
- Compare wage strength with job depth, density, and concentration instead of salary alone.
- Add cost of living, taxes, commute, employer mix, and licensure timing when deciding.
Decision factors
- Are the strongest wages concentrated in one metro or spread across the state?
- Does the state have enough employers in my desired setting?
- Will local housing and commute costs erase the wage advantage?