Occupational Therapist Salary in Morgantown, WV: $97,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Morgantown, WV earns a median $97,216/year (≈ $46.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $104,172 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, occupational therapists in Morgantown, West Virginia, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $97,216, slightly below the national average of $103,400. This field offers a salary range from $65,526 at the entry-level (P10) to as high as $123,157 for experienced professionals (P90), showcasing significant earning potential for those with specialized credentials. The data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and projected from 2025 figures, suggests that obtaining a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) specialty certification can enhance career prospects and salary possibilities, a notable factor in the current job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,526 | $31.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,779 | $37.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,216 | $46.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,482 | $50.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,157 | $59.21 |
Median Salary Position
5.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,631 (2026 est.). At $97,216, the local median is 5.98% below the national median of $103,400.
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At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be above the median
How Morgantown Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $97,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $103,400 | -5.98% less |
Occupational Therapists in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $97,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.98% lower than the national median of $103,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $97,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,172 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$88,000
2025 BLS Actual
$94,330
2026 Current Est.
$97,216
2019–2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 7.2% from $88,000 (2019) to $94,330 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,191 (13.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $65,526 – $77,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,779 – $97,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,216 – $104,482 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,482 – $123,157 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Morgantown
Analyzing the local job market, there are approximately 80 occupational therapists employed within Morgantown, WV. This employment pool indicates a need for OTs in various settings, including skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation, where salaries tend to be higher compared to school districts. With a cost-of-living index of 93.323, professionals in the area may find that their earnings afford them a comfortable lifestyle, although it does slightly impact purchasing power compared to national averages. Factors affecting salary dispersion include work settings, certification status, productivity expectations, and the variations in contracts based on school years versus year-round roles. To maximize their occupational therapist pay in Morgantown, WV, therapists should consider pursuing additional board certifications like CHT, explore opportunities in high-paying facilities, and be open to diverse practice settings, all of which can collectively contribute to greater financial stability and growth in their careers.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Morgantown, WV in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Morgantown?
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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 $94,330 for occupational therapistsin the Morgantown 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, 7-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