SOC 29-1122 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Occupational Therapists — Chico
Chico, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Occupational Therapists in Chico, CA is $129,260 per year, well above the national median of $100,330.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Occupational Therapists in Chico, CA is $129,260 per year, well above the national median of $100,330. The gap of 28.8% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $101,900 at the tenth percentile to more than $143,680 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $104,640 to $135,790.
The area has 70 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. San Jose leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $136,870. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 23rd of 286 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $101,900 | +1.6% |
| 25th | $104,640 | +4.3% |
| Median (50th) | $129,260 | +28.8% |
| 75th | $135,790 | +35.3% |
| 90th | $143,680 | +43.2% |
| Mean | $121,440 | +21.0% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $136,870 | 840 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $136,770 | 1,560 | |
| 3 | Vallejo | $135,000 | 100 | |
| 4 | Santa Cruz | $130,420 | 100 | |
| 5 | Santa Rosa | $128,010 | 130 | |
| 6 | Santa Maria | $125,890 | 170 | |
| 7 | Napa | $124,490 | 40 | |
| 8 | Bakersfield | $123,200 | 170 | |
| 9 | Salinas | $123,180 | 110 | |
| 10 | Stockton | $122,990 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Chico run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $129,260 buys what $116,766 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 16.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$129,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$116,766US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $129,260 a year, 28.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $101,900 to $143,680 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 70 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Jose, at $136,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Occupational Therapists in Chico, CA?
The median annual wage is $129,260, or $62.14 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $100,330, so pay in Chico, CA is 28.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Chico, CA earns more than $143,680 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $101,900 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Jose, at $136,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 70 jobs in this occupation in Chico, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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