Occupational Therapist Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $82,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Hattiesburg, MS earns a median $82,025/year (≈ $39.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Hattiesburg's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $93,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapists in Hattiesburg, MS, can expect a median annual salary of $82,025 in 2026, a figure significantly below the national median of $103,400. The projected salary range spans from $72,595 at the 10th percentile to $110,398 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity of compensation based on factors like work setting and experience. Hattiesburg's therapy professionals often find employment in various contexts such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), and school districts, each offering distinct challenges and rewards. Therapists working in hospitals or outpatient settings typically command higher salaries compared to their counterparts in schools, while those seeking positions in SNFs may face additional considerations related to seasonal employment patterns.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,595 | $34.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,840 | $38.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,025 | $39.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,153 | $48.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,398 | $53.08 |
Median Salary Position
20.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, MS, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,803 (2026 est.). At $82,025, the local median is 20.67% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Hattiesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hattiesburg Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Hattiesburg median: $82,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hattiesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,580 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -20.67% less |
Occupational Therapists in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $82,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.67% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 7.40% below the Mississippi state average of $88,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hattiesburg has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hattiesburg, MS has a cost-of-living index of 87.633 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $82,025 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,601 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$92,000
2025 BLS Actual
$79,590
2026 Current Est.
$82,025
2019–2027 Growth
+-8.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $92,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,444 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,535 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew -13.5% from $92,000 (2019) to $79,590 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,535 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,465 (-8.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,595 – $80,840 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,840 – $82,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,025 – $101,153 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,153 – $110,398 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Hattiesburg
As of the latest data, there are around 80 occupational therapists employed in Hattiesburg, a figure reflective of the local job market's demand. The cost of living index in this area is 87.633, which is notably below the national average, affecting overall purchasing power. Hospitals and outpatient hand therapy clinics tend to offer the highest wages in Hattiesburg, while school districts and early intervention programs are often less lucrative. Factors contributing to salary variation include certification levels, such as earning the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, as well as productivity expectations and contracts' duration. For therapists looking to increase their pay, seeking certifications, focusing on settings with higher reimbursement rates, or pursuing specialized practices can be effective strategies in this regional job market.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Hattiesburg, MS in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Hattiesburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Hattiesburg?
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Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,590 for occupational therapistsin the Hattiesburg metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov