Occupational Therapist Salary in Columbus, OH
Occupational Therapists in the Columbus, OH metro area earn a median $98,920 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,482 take-home, or $6,374 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median occupational therapist salary in Columbus, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,932
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,133
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,434
- Ohio income tax$1,938
- Take-home pay$76,482
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 2.75% state
Occupational Therapist pay by experience in Columbus, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,060 | $31.28 | $53,449 | $4,454 |
| 25th percentile | $82,090 | $39.47 | $65,105 | $5,425 |
| Median (50th) | $98,920 | $47.56 | $76,482 | $6,374 |
| 75th percentile | $106,970 | $51.43 | $81,924 | $6,827 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,710 | $57.55 | $90,536 | $7,545 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $98,920 buys in Columbus, OH
Prices in Columbus, OH are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 12% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median occupational therapist's $76,482 take-home pay has the buying power of $80,112 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Occupational Therapist jobs are about as common in Columbus, OH as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.18).
Best-paying cities for occupational therapists, adjusted for cost of living
Columbus, OH ranks #19 of 65 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $122,050 | $94,687 | $96,555 |
| 2 | San Antonio, TX | $107,650 | $84,562 | $89,279 |
| 3 | Fayetteville, AR | $107,830 | $80,696 | $88,334 |
| 4 | Little Rock, AR | $104,680 | $78,603 | $87,958 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $110,520 | $86,581 | $86,395 |
| 6 | Dayton, OH | $103,840 | $79,808 | $86,099 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $136,870 | $94,538 | $85,614 |
| 8 | Oklahoma City, OK | $103,080 | $77,254 | $85,450 |
| 19 | Columbus, OH | $98,920 | $76,482 | $80,112 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 65 metros →
Occupational Therapist salaries elsewhere in Ohio
- Dayton, OH — $103,840
- Cleveland, OH — $103,060
- Akron, OH — $98,520
- Cincinnati, OH — $100,870
Frequently asked questions
How much does a occupational therapist make in Columbus, OH?
The median occupational therapist salary in the Columbus, OH metro area is $98,920 a year, or about $47.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $82,090 and $106,970.
What is a occupational therapist’s take-home pay in Columbus, OH?
On the median $98,920 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $76,482 a year ($6,374 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,938 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Columbus, OH a good place to work as a occupational therapist?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $100,330. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $80,112 would in a typical U.S. city. Columbus, OH ranks #19 of 65 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a occupational therapist afford rent in Columbus, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Columbus, OH is $1,179 a month ($1,416 for two bedrooms) — 18% of a median occupational therapist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Columbus, OH
- Nurse Anesthetist — $231,810
- Physicians, All Other — $214,760
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist — $179,810
- Dentists, General — $166,180
- Physician Assistant — $137,550
- Pharmacist — $133,960
- Nurse Practitioner — $124,580
- Veterinarian — $123,270
- Physical Therapist — $105,130
- Dental Hygienist — $96,880
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $96,460
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $84,200