Occupational Therapist Salary in Westerly, RI: $97,045 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Westerly, RI earns a median $97,045/year (≈ $46.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Westerly's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $96,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Westerly, Rhode Island, can expect a median annual salary of $97,045 in 2026, a figure that reflects the local economic landscape and distinct cost of living adjustments. With a salary range from $77,093 at the lower end to $120,929 at the upper end, these projections indicate a diverse earning potential within the field. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, highlight an environment where local compensation patterns are shaped by factors such as shifts in Medicare reimbursements impacting skilled nursing facilities (SNF) and outpatient therapy services post-2022. Given the current employment level of five occupational therapists in Westerly, the job market appears niche but offers a variety of opportunities, particularly in settings that demand specialized skills.
About the Westerly Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,093 | $37.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,061 | $40.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,045 | $46.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,050 | $51.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,929 | $58.14 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerly
In Westerly, RI, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,836 (2026 est.). At $97,045, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Westerly: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westerly Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Westerly median: $97,045/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerly Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $103,903 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -6.15% less |
Occupational Therapists in Westerly, RI earn a median of $97,045 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 6.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerly has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westerly, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,045 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,562 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,729
2025 BLS Actual
$94,164
2026 Current Est.
$97,045
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Westerly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,977 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,453 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,447 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,346 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,045 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,015 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerly metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $79,729 (2019) to $94,164 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,015 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,286 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerly 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) | $77,093 – $84,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,061 – $97,045 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,045 – $107,050 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,050 – $120,929 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Westerly
The job market for occupational therapists in Westerly reflects a blend of limited employment opportunities and a cost-of-living index just above the national average, at 100.5. This reality affects the take-home purchasing power for therapists, making it essential for them to consider salary potential within various practice environments. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer higher compensation compared to schools or early intervention programs, generally due to diverse productivity expectations and contract structures. Opportunities to enhance occupational therapist pay in Westerly, RI, include pursuing specialized certifications such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), which commands a premium, and negotiating for year-round contracts when possible. As Medicare continues to impact reimbursement rates, therapists in the area must remain strategic about the settings they choose to practice in and the types of services they provide to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Westerly, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Westerly, RI in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Westerly?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Westerly?
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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 $94,164 for occupational therapistsin the Westerly 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
Salary data for Westerly is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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