Senior Occupational Therapist Salary in Kingsville, TX: $128,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of occupational therapists working in Kingsville, TX — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $128,844/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-1122. Strip back Kingsville's price premium (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $134,213 in average-cost America. The 27% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, top-tier salaries for experienced occupational therapists in Kingsville, Texas, can reach impressive heights, with the 90th percentile earning as much as $128,844 annually. Comparatively, Kingsville's senior occupational therapist pay is competitive, especially considering that such figures fall slightly below the national top earners, whose median is $103,400. The significant income gap between the median salary of $101,066 and the upper echelon indicates the rewards that come with extensive experience and specialized skills. Achieving such financial success in Kingsville requires not only a deep commitment to the profession but also an investment in further education, advanced certifications, and potentially leadership roles within varied settings.
About the Kingsville Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kingsville
Experienced occupational therapists at the top of the pay scale in Kingsville earn between $116,442 and $128,844 per year (2026 est.). This $51,934 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Kingsville median of $101,066 sits 2.26% below the US median.
Top OT, OTR Salary Comparison
| Level | Kingsville | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $101,066 | $103,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $116,442 | $120,240 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $128,844 | $135,988 |
In Kingsville, experienced occupational therapists (P90) earn 27.49% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Occupational Therapist Pay in Kingsville
Advanced Certifications in Texas
TX occupational therapists with additional specialty certifications within the occupational therapy field earn significantly above the $101,066 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Kingsville employers.
Specialty Focus
Occupational Therapists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the occupational therapy field in Kingsville command premium compensation, often reaching the $116,442–$128,844 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Kingsville metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced occupational therapists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured occupational therapists in Kingsville with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Occupational Therapists in Texas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Occupational Therapist Career & Wage Growth Path in Kingsville
Clinical Occupational Therapist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Occupational Therapist
5-10 yearsOccupational Therapist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedKingsville ranks #89 of 109 Texas cities for top earner occupational therapist salary (90th percentile: $128,844).
Top 10% occupational therapist compensation in Kingsville ($128,844) is 9.86% below the Texas average P90 ($142,934).
2019 BLS Actual
$115,108
2025 BLS Actual
$125,018
2026 Current Est.
$128,844
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Kingsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,108 | Actual |
| 2020 | $116,226 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,334 | Actual |
| 2022 | $117,362 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,325 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,018 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,786 | Projected |
Top-earning occupational therapists (90th percentile) in Kingsville saw their compensation grow 8.6% from $115,108 in 2019 to $125,018 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.06% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $132,786 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kingsville 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.
Maximizing Your Occupational Therapist Earnings in Kingsville
Looking closer at the factors that contribute to elevated compensation for senior occupational therapists in Kingsville reveals several key aspects. Specializations such as hand therapy (CHT) and pediatric therapy (BCP) often command premium pay, reflecting the unique skills necessary for these fields. Differences across employer types also influence pay, with skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings generally offering more competitive salaries compared to school district contracts or outpatient clinics. Professionals who pursue advanced credentials like the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) can significantly enhance their employment prospects, with board certifications like CHT serving as a notable advantage. Leadership advancement opportunities, such as roles in clinic management or academia, coupled with non-salary compensation factors like workplace setting and contract structures, further shape the senior occupational therapist salary landscape in TX. Such considerations underline the evolving and multifaceted profession in Kingsville as the field prepares for anticipated changes in educational requirements.
More salary data for Kingsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced occupational therapists make in Kingsville in 2026?
What drives higher occupational therapist pay in Kingsville?
What certifications boost occupational therapist salary in Kingsville?
Can experienced occupational therapists make six figures in Kingsville?
How much does occupational therapist salary increase over time in Kingsville?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $125,018 for occupational therapists in the Kingsville metro area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kingsville 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