Occupational Therapy Degree in Chesapeake, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Occupational Therapy degree analysis for Chesapeake, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$71K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Chesapeake
Cost of Living
91
index (100 = avg)
Occupational Therapy in Chesapeake, VA Overview
Chesapeake, Virginia (pop. 249,422) has 12 colleges offering Occupational Therapy programs. The local cost of living index of 91 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $850/month. Occupational Therapy has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Assessment and Treatment Planning skills. The adjusted starting salary in Chesapeake is approximately $45,500, growing to $70,980 by mid-career.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$11,558/yr
Private Tuition
$19,500/yr
Room & Board
$9,787/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,853/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
67%
Occupational Therapy Salary in Chesapeake (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Chesapeake's cost of living index of 91 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Occupational Therapy salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $90,000 senior level.Chesapeake adjustment factor: 0.91x based on the local cost of living index.
Occupational Therapy ROI Calculator for Chesapeake
Estimate your return on investment for a Occupational Therapy degree using local Chesapeake tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,558 | Private avg: $19,500
Chesapeake avg aid: $9,853/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$85,380
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,650
vs HS diploma in Chesapeake
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Chesapeake
$415,120
Lifetime earnings premium ($500,500) minus total education cost ($85,380)
Student Loan Payoff for Occupational Therapy in Chesapeake
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Chesapeake for Occupational Therapy
South University Virginia Beach
private
$19,500/yr
$78,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Chesapeake
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Occupational Therapy in Chesapeake
Chesapeake offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Occupational Therapy graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Chesapeake Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Occupational Therapy Job Titles
Occupational Therapy in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$44K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Chesapeake
Pharmacy
$46K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$46K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$62K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$46K starting · 4 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$46K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$46K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$46K starting · 3 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy Degree in Chesapeake — 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 Chesapeake.