Occupational Therapists pay range in Santa Cruz
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $97,900 a year or less, while the top 10% make $157,390 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Santa Cruz earn between $120,870 and $157,390.
- $98K10th
- $121K25th
- $130KMedian
- $157K75th
- $157K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $131,980 | $10,998 | $63.45 |
| Median | $130,420 | $10,868 | $62.70 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $120,870 | $10,072 | $58.11 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $157,390 | $13,116 | $75.67 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Santa Cruz vs. California and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Santa Cruz earn 8% more than the California average ($121,920) and 30% more than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is +30% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | $131,980 | $130,420 | $97,900 | $157,390 | 100 |
| California | $121,920 | $124,510 | $85,550 | $158,560 | 13,810 |
| United States | $101,280 | $100,330 | $71,690 | $131,950 | 162,450 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Occupational Therapists salary after taxes in Santa Cruz
On the average salary of $131,980, a single filer in Santa Cruz takes home about $93,292 a year, or $7,774 a month and $3,588 every two weeks. Taxes take 29% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Santa Cruz a good place for occupational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Santa Cruz area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.9), so the average $131,980 buys what about $120,095 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Santa Cruz ($54,730). A typical home costs $1,157,157, or 8.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other California cities
Santa Cruz ranks 3rd of 23 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($137,450).
- San Jose$137,450
- San Francisco$136,250
- Santa Cruz$131,980
- Vallejo$128,760
- Santa Rosa$128,610
- Napa$127,120
- Sacramento$123,560
- Salinas$122,370
- Santa Maria$122,310
- Stockton$122,080
Highest-paying cities for occupational therapists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($137,450).
- San Jose, CA$137,450
- San Francisco, CA$136,250
- Santa Cruz, CA$131,980
- Vallejo, CA$128,760
- Santa Rosa, CA$128,610
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Occupational Therapists salary in Santa Cruz: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Santa Cruz?
$63.45 an hour on average, and $62.70 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $97,900 a year and the 25th percentile is $120,870, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Santa Cruz?
About $93,292 a year ($7,774 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $131,980. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Santa Cruz than elsewhere?
The average here is 30% more than the U.S. average for this job ($101,280).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1122; area Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (42100). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.98, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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