Occupational therapist salary vs the national full-time average
Occupational therapists help people overcome limitations caused by illness, injury or disability. In Australia, the occupation is dominated by women (92%) and has a median age of 33, according to Jobs and Skills Australia. But where does the pay sit against the national full-time average?
The national benchmark
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) publishes the Average Weekly Earnings series twice a year. The latest release, for May 2026, puts full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings at $2,083.70. That works out to about $108,352 a year (multiplied by 52). This is the figure this site uses as the line.
The occupational therapist median
The ABS does not release a mean (average) salary for this occupation. Instead, the most reliable figure is the median full-time weekly earnings: $1,913 from the ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025, as reported by Jobs and Skills Australia. That is about $99,476 a year.
That is $170.70 a week below the national full-time average. However, it is $61 a week above the all‑occupations full-time median of $1,852 (about $96,304 a year). So occupational therapists earn more than the typical full-time worker but less than the average, which is pulled up by higher‑paid professions.
How the median is calculated
The median used here is for full‑time non‑managerial employees paid at the adult rate, before tax and salary sacrifice. It excludes part‑time workers, managers and juniors, which gives a clearer comparison between occupations. The median hourly rate for occupational therapists is $50, compared with $47 for all occupations.
State and territory differences
The national full-time average varies across Australia. Using the ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026, the state averages (annualised) are:
- New South Wales: $109,658
- Victoria: $106,137
- Queensland: $106,064
- South Australia: $102,450
- Western Australia: $115,825
- Tasmania: $96,008
- Northern Territory: $103,173
- Australian Capital Territory: $119,090
An occupational therapist earning the national median of $99,476 would be below the average in every state and territory except Tasmania. In the ACT, the gap would be nearly $20,000 a year. See how your state compares.
Gender and age
The occupation is 92% female. The ABS reports that women’s full-time average weekly ordinary time earnings nationally are $1,934.50 (about $100,594 a year), while men’s are $2,181.50 (about $113,438 a year). The occupational therapist median of $1,913 is below the female national average, which may reflect the younger age profile (median 33 vs 39 for all occupations) and the concentration in public sector and community health roles.
Minimum wage and award coverage
From 1 July 2026, the national minimum wage is $26.44 an hour, $1,004.90 a week, or about $52,255 a year on a 38‑hour week. Award minimums rose by 4.75% from that date. Occupational therapists are covered by the Health Professionals and Support Services Award 2020 (MA000027). The award sets minimum rates for various classification levels, but the specific occupational therapist classification rates are not shown in the Fair Work summary provided. Most occupational therapists earn well above the award minimum, consistent with the median figure.
Tax on an occupational therapist salary
For the 2026–27 income year, resident tax rates are:
- Nil up to $18,200
- 15% on income from $18,201 to $45,000
- 30% on income from $45,001 to $135,000
- 37% on income from $135,001 to $190,000
- 45% on income above $190,000
Plus a 2% Medicare levy (before any reductions). On a median salary of $99,476, the tax would be about $22,567 plus Medicare, leaving roughly $74,000 after tax. Use the line tool to see your take‑home pay.
Where to find more
If you want to compare occupational therapist pay with other jobs, see the job medians page. For industry breakdowns, visit industry medians. The figures here are based on the ABS Average Weekly Earnings (May 2026) for the average, the ABS Employee Earnings (August 2025) for medians, and Fair Work for minimum rates. All are the most current public data available.
Key takeaway
Occupational therapist pay in Australia sits below the national full-time average but above the all‑occupations median. The median of $1,913 a week is a solid professional wage, though it trails the average by about 8%. With strong demand and a young workforce, there is room for earnings growth over a career.