HealthcareUpdated Q1 2026

Occupational Therapist Salary
in Aurora, CO

Help patients develop or regain daily living and working skills after injury or illness. Median salary in Aurora: $95K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$95K
per year
Take-home: $63K

Salary range in Aurora

Entry level (25th)$76,000
Median (50th)$95,000
Senior (75th)$117,000
Top earner (90th)$140,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Aurora, Colorado. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

Help build this dataset. Add your own Occupational Therapist salary so other workers in Aurora have better numbers to work with.
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What the numbers say for Aurora

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

6% premium vs national median

Occupational Therapists in Aurora earn approximately 6% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $5,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Aurora's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Aurora's cost-of-living index (112), the median Occupational Therapist salary buys the equivalent of $84,821 in a US-average-cost city. That's $5,179 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 32% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Aurora ($1,650/mo) consumes approximately 32% of an after-tax median Occupational Therapist salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($117K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Aurora

Median salary
$95K
annual
Take-home pay
$63K
after fed/state tax
COL index
112
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.55%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,650
per month
YoY growth
+3.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Aurora Occupational Therapist to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $95K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Aurora

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Occupational Therapist salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$80K$87K$94K$100K$107K201920212023202520272029
2026
$97K
projected
2027
$100K
projected
2028
$102K
projected
2029
$105K
projected
2030
$107K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$95,000+$0
2028 projected$95,000+$0
2029 projected$95,000+$0
2030 projected$95,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Occupational Therapist Salary in Aurora, Colorado: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Occupational Therapist salary in Aurora, CO is $95,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Aurora–CO metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Occupational Therapist in Aurora

Entry-level Occupational Therapists in Aurora with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $76,000 and $95,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $95,000 to $117,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $117,000 to $140,000 or more.

Cost of living in Aurora for Occupational Therapists

Aurora has a cost of living index of 112 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Aurora are close to the national average. Colorado has a 4.55% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Occupational Therapist

Master's in Occupational Therapy; NBCOT certification. 12% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Occupational Therapist salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Aurora (current)$95K112
Denver$101K118
Colorado Springs$86K102
Fort Collins$101K112
Lakewood$103K115
Thornton$97K108