What is the starting salary for Occupational Therapy graduates in Bellevue?

The estimated starting salary for Occupational Therapy graduates in Bellevue, WA is $89,250 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 178.5. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in Bellevue are 78% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Occupational Therapy degree worth it in Bellevue?

A Occupational Therapy degree in Bellevue has an estimated ROI payback period of 4.5 years, with a projected lifetime return of $862,090 after subtracting education costs. With 6 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $11,800/year, Bellevue offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 4% and the major's national unemployment rate of 1.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Occupational Therapy in Bellevue?

The average annual public university tuition in Bellevue is $11,800, while private universities average $40,000/year. Including room and board ($18,115/year), total 4-year costs range from $119,660 at a public school to $232,460 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Bellevue is $12,339/year.

What jobs can Occupational Therapy graduates get in Bellevue?

Occupational Therapy graduates in Bellevue can pursue careers as Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapist, Pediatric OT. Key skills valued by local employers include Patient Assessment, Treatment Planning, Adaptive Equipment, Rehabilitation. The Bellevue job market features Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Hospitals, Rehab Centers, Schools.

How long to pay off student loans for Occupational Therapy in Bellevue?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Occupational Therapy graduates in Bellevue would pay $1,359/month on an estimated $119,660 in loans, with $43,386 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,341/month but save $22,569 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $89,250, monthly payments would represent 18% of gross monthly income.

Occupational Therapy Degree in Bellevue, WA — Salary & ROI 2026

Occupational Therapy degree analysis for Bellevue, WA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$89K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$139K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

4.5 yrs

in Bellevue

Cost of Living

178.5

index (100 = avg)

Occupational Therapy in Bellevue, WA Overview

Bellevue, Washington (pop. 151,854) has 6 colleges offering Occupational Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 178.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $3,300/month. Occupational Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Assessment and Treatment Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Bellevue is approximately $89,250, growing to $139,230 by mid-career.

Occupational Therapy Salary in Bellevue (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Bellevue's cost of living index of 178.5 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$89,250(+$39,250 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$139,230(+$61,230 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$160,650(+$70,650 vs national)

Note: National average Occupational Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Bellevue adjustment factor: 1.78x based on the local cost of living index.

Occupational Therapy ROI Calculator for Bellevue

Estimate your return on investment for a Occupational Therapy degree using local Bellevue tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $11,800 | Private avg: $40,000

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Bellevue avg aid: $12,339/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$119,660

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$26,775

vs HS diploma in Bellevue

ROI Payback Period

4.5 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Bellevue

$862,090

Lifetime earnings premium ($981,750) minus total education cost ($119,660)

Student Loan Payoff for Occupational Therapy in Bellevue

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$119,660

Monthly Payment$1,359

Total Interest$43,386

% of Monthly Income18%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$119,660

Monthly Payment$2,341

Total Interest$20,817

Interest Savings$22,569

Colleges in Bellevue for Occupational Therapy

Bellevue State University

public

$11,349/yr

$45,396 total

University of Bellevue

public

$11,803/yr

$47,212 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Bellevue Community College

$7,512/yr

Top Employers for Occupational Therapy in Bellevue

Bellevue offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Occupational Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:

HospitalsRehab CentersSchoolsHome Health AgenciesNursing Homes

Key Bellevue Hiring Sectors for Healthcare

Hospitals

Medical centers

Private practices

Health systems

Pharma companies

Common Occupational Therapy Job Titles

Occupational TherapistHand TherapistPediatric OT

Occupational Therapy in Nearby Washington Cities

Seattle, WA

$60K starting · COL 120

16 colleges

Spokane, WA

$61K starting · COL 121

20 colleges

Tacoma, WA

$57K starting · COL 113

25 colleges

Vancouver, WA

$54K starting · COL 108.5

7 colleges

Kent, WA

$58K starting · COL 115.8

6 colleges

Everett, WA

$59K starting · COL 118.2

5 colleges

Renton, WA

$61K starting · COL 122.5

5 colleges

Spokane Valley, WA

$62K starting · COL 123.1

4 colleges

Other Healthcare Majors in Bellevue

Pharmacy

$89K starting · 3.5 yr ROI

Health Informatics

$89K starting · 3.8 yr ROI

Nursing

$121K starting · 3.2 yr ROI

Healthcare Administration

$89K starting · 4 yr ROI

Dental Hygiene

$89K starting · 3 yr ROI

Speech-Language Pathology

$89K starting · 4.2 yr ROI

Public Health

$89K starting · 5.2 yr ROI

Radiologic Technology

$89K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Occupational Therapy degree outcomes in Bellevue, WA: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Occupational Therapy programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Washington.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Bellevue using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Occupational Therapy graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Occupational Therapy career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Occupational Therapy grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Bellevue Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Washington students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Washington)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Washington programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "washington higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Occupational Therapy Degree in Bellevue — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Occupational Therapy ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Bellevue.

Occupational Therapy Overview Colleges in Bellevue All Majors