Occupational Therapists pay range in Chico
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $101,900 a year or less, while the top 10% make $143,680 or more. The middle half of occupational therapists in Chico earn between $104,640 and $135,790.
- $102K10th
- $105K25th
- $129KMedian
- $136K75th
- $144K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $121,440 | $10,120 | $58.38 |
| Median | $129,260 | $10,772 | $62.14 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $104,640 | $8,720 | $50.31 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $135,790 | $11,316 | $65.28 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Occupational Therapists pay in Chico vs. California and the U.S.
Occupational therapists in Chico earn about the same as the California average ($121,920) and 20% more than the U.S. average ($101,280). At the median the gap is +29% against the U.S. median of $100,330.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | $121,440 | $129,260 | $101,900 | $143,680 | 70 |
| 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 Chico
On the average salary of $121,440, a single filer in Chico takes home about $87,061 a year, or $7,255 a month and $3,349 every two weeks. Taxes take 28% 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 Chico a good place for occupational therapists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chico area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.2), so the average $121,440 buys what about $120,004 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Chico ($48,050). A typical home costs $401,581, or 3.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Occupational Therapists salary in other California cities
Chico ranks 11th 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
- Chico$121,440
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 Chico: questions
How much do occupational therapists make an hour in Chico?
$58.38 an hour on average, and $62.14 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level occupational therapists salary in Chico?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $101,900 a year and the 25th percentile is $104,640, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the occupational therapists take-home pay in Chico?
About $87,061 a year ($7,255 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $121,440. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do occupational therapists earn more in Chico than elsewhere?
The average here is 20% 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 Chico, CA (17020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- 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 0.82, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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