Data released earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that almost 145,000 occupational therapists (OTs) were employed in the U.S. as of May 2023.  Over 31,000 occupational therapists were employed in the twelve-state Southeast region of the country at that time.  BLS data revealed the region to be a generally subpar one in terms of OT pay, with only three Southeastern states,  Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama recording an occupational therapist annual mean wage level that was above the national average for the profession.  A closer examination of the BLS data revealed the following details about occupational therapist pay in the Southeast as of May 2023:

Occupational Therapist Pay in the Southeast

State	# Employed	Annual Mean Wages	Wage Rank*
AL	1,300	$94,680	20th
AR	1,600	$92,680	28th
FL	8,100	$92,820	26th
GA	3,590	$98,490	15th
KY	1,960	$86,860	41st
LA	1,520	$93,310	24th
MS	1,190	$90,510	30th
NC	4,250	$88,510	35th
SC	1,930	$88,520	34th
TN	2,280	$92,710	27th
VA	3,440	$102,550	6th
WV	650	$87,460	39th
U.S.	144,850	$93,491	-------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on January 28, 2025