Occupational Therapist salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
An occupational therapist in California earns a median of $124,510 a year ($59.86/hour equivalent), 24.1% above the national median of $100,330. California ranks #1 of 51 states. About 13,810 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $87,416 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $3,362 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $4,788.85
- Federal income tax
- −$716.02
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$296.91
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$69.44
- California income tax
- −$282.09
- CA SDI
- −$62.25
- Take-home pay
- $3,362.14
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $124,510
- Federal
- $18,616
- FICA
- $9,525
- State + local
- $8,953
- Net
- $87,416
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $124,510 |
| #2 | Oregon | $112,310 |
| #3 | Nevada | $110,520 |
| #4 | District of Columbia | $109,170 |
| #5 | Washington | $107,670 |
| #49 | Maine | $84,310 |
| #50 | New Hampshire | $83,900 |
| #51 | North Dakota | $83,200 |
See the national occupational therapist salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Occupational Therapists (SOC 29-1122), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an occupational therapist make in California?
The median salary is $124,510 a year and the average is $121,920 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for occupational therapists?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 24% above the national median of $100,330.
What is $124,510 after taxes in California?
About $87,416 a year ($3,362 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
Your business here? Sponsor this calculator from $19/week. See placements
Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.