Occupational Therapist Salary in Bothell, WA: $104,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Bothell, WA earns a median $104,336/year (≈ $50.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Bothell's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $97,147 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bothell, Washington, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapist in 2026 is $104,336, slightly above the national median of $103,400. This figure encompasses a broad salary range from $80,486 at the 10th percentile to $134,292 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse environments where occupational therapists work. Those entering school districts typically earn less than their counterparts in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or hospital settings, where higher demand and more intensive care needs drive up compensation. With local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the cost of living, Bothell presents a competitive salary landscape that can influence career decisions—particularly for professionals weighing the advantages of year-round roles against school-year contracts.
About the Bothell Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,486 | $38.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,008 | $42.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $104,336 | $50.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $117,073 | $56.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,292 | $64.57 |
Median Salary Position
0.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bothell
In Bothell, WA, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,806 (2026 est.). At $104,336, the local median is 0.91% above the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bothell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bothell Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Bothell median: $104,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bothell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $108,232 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | +0.91% more |
Occupational Therapists in Bothell, WA earn a median of $104,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.91% higher than the national median of $103,400 and 3.60% below the Washington state average of $108,232.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bothell has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bothell, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $104,336 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,147 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,719
2025 BLS Actual
$101,238
2026 Current Est.
$104,336
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Bothell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,719 | Actual |
| 2020 | $87,061 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,344 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,023 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,461 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,238 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bothell metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $85,719 (2019) to $101,238 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,810 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bothell 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) | $80,486 – $89,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,008 – $104,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $104,336 – $117,073 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $117,073 – $134,292 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Bothell
The local job market in Bothell currently employs 13 occupational therapists, providing a limited but stable opportunity pool. With a cost-of-living index at 107.4, professionals must consider the impact on their purchasing power when evaluating occupational therapist pay in Bothell, WA. Hospitals and skilled nursing facilities tend to offer the highest wages, while outpatient therapy clinics and school districts often lag behind. Factors that contribute to the variation in pay include the setting of employment, board certifications such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), and the differing expectations regarding productivity. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapist salary, pursuing specialty certifications, negotiating contracts, and considering year-round positions over school-year assignments can be advantageous strategies in this market.
More salary data for Bothell, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Bothell, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Bothell?
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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 $101,238 for occupational therapistsin the Bothell 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 Bothell 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