Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
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By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 08/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Therapists, all other (SOC 29-1129) employed 22,640 people in May 2025. The median pay is $77,930 a year ($37.47 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,540 and the highest-paid 10% more than $152,530. BLS projects its employment to change by +12.6% between 2025 and 2035 (about 3,600 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($127,010), Illinois ($116,200), New Jersey ($100,250). Most jobs: New Jersey (7,090), Texas (1,320), Maryland (1,310).
15 open private-sector listings match this occupation (titles containing: therapist). The newest 12:
All private-sector therapist jobs →Federal jobs (USAJOBS) →Find the right job for me
What the job involves: read the official definition at BLS (OEWS) and O*NET. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Licences are set by states and employers.
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| 25th percentile | $58,850 | $28.29 |
| Median | $77,930 | $37.47 |
| Mean | $90,420 | $43.47 |
| 75th percentile | $105,760 | $50.85 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $152,530 | $73.33 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 56,100 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 63,200 |
| Change in jobs | 7,100 |
| Percent change | +12.6% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 3,600 |
| Self-employed share | 58.8% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 30 | 0.10 | $68,270 | $42,970 | $147,950 | -12% | 18% |
| Arizona | 360 | 0.76 | $63,750 | $44,250 | $127,650 | -18% | 29% |
| Arkansas | 460 | 2.40 | $61,920 | $43,870 | $127,800 | -21% | 18% |
| California | 840 | 0.31 | $81,760 | $59,880 | $166,300 | +5% | 30% |
| Colorado | 160 | 0.39 | $65,080 | $52,210 | $108,120 | -16% | 32% |
| Connecticut | 510 | 2.05 | $47,300 | $37,970 | $131,570 | -39% | 38% |
| Delaware | 30 | 0.48 | $90,120 | $57,140 | $104,280 | +16% | 19% |
| District of Columbia | 80 | 0.75 | $127,010 | $78,410 | $130,000 | +63% | 18% |
| Florida | 440 | 0.30 | $64,600 | $47,360 | $110,080 | -17% | 31% |
| Georgia | 970 | 1.36 | $59,380 | $37,250 | $105,670 | -24% | 28% |
| Hawaii | 40 | 0.41 | $99,560 | $63,230 | $102,640 | +28% | 24% |
| Illinois | 1,060 | 1.19 | $116,200 | $57,240 | $193,760 | +49% | 13% |
| Indiana | 350 | 0.76 | $61,720 | $37,300 | $101,790 | -21% | 21% |
| Kansas | 170 | 0.81 | $76,740 | $49,980 | $169,740 | -2% | 17% |
| Kentucky | 190 | 0.66 | $75,060 | $38,750 | $136,540 | -4% | 15% |
| Louisiana | 690 | 2.45 | $64,530 | $47,800 | $170,720 | -17% | 20% |
| Maryland | 1,310 | 3.25 | $49,400 | $36,340 | $147,300 | -37% | 41% |
| Massachusetts | 170 | 0.31 | $69,050 | $55,000 | $97,890 | -11% | 31% |
| Michigan | 320 | 0.50 | $57,970 | $37,760 | $99,200 | -26% | 23% |
| Minnesota | 500 | 1.17 | $75,360 | $61,270 | $100,960 | -3% | 20% |
| Mississippi | 140 | 0.82 | $44,280 | $40,320 | $65,170 | -43% | 26% |
| Missouri | 340 | 0.79 | $60,990 | $45,230 | $89,070 | -22% | 20% |
| Nebraska | 40 | 0.25 | $86,900 | $49,190 | $134,800 | +12% | 15% |
| New Hampshire | 100 | 1.04 | $69,040 | $39,260 | $97,780 | -11% | 26% |
| New Jersey | 7,090 | 11.36 | $100,250 | $64,750 | $172,230 | +29% | 21% |
| New York | 1,110 | 0.79 | $77,980 | $54,250 | $115,990 | +0% | 25% |
| North Carolina | 530 | 0.73 | $60,400 | $49,600 | $87,120 | -22% | 24% |
| Ohio | 540 | 0.67 | $70,700 | $49,660 | $161,890 | -9% | 18% |
| Oregon | 170 | 0.61 | $81,860 | $63,350 | $118,340 | +5% | 22% |
| Pennsylvania | 710 | 0.81 | $62,310 | $41,250 | $98,780 | -20% | 23% |
| Rhode Island | 90 | 1.22 | $86,400 | $70,690 | $122,240 | +11% | 19% |
| South Carolina | 70 | 0.21 | $90,980 | $52,900 | $186,580 | +17% | 16% |
| Tennessee | 210 | 0.43 | $56,690 | $39,320 | $85,680 | -27% | 25% |
| Texas | 1,320 | 0.65 | $74,750 | $33,710 | $129,420 | -4% | 23% |
| Utah | 70 | 0.27 | $61,770 | $47,750 | $129,200 | -21% | 29% |
| Virginia | 420 | 0.71 | $70,890 | $49,050 | $245,320 | -9% | 27% |
| Wisconsin | 280 | 0.66 | $59,420 | $47,270 | $161,470 | -24% | 22% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,330 | $81,170 | $57,410 | $137,840 | 3.16 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 370 | $77,610 | $64,050 | $223,240 | 0.40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 480 | $76,630 | $49,400 | $160,780 | 1.04 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 370 | $75,350 | $62,420 | $93,610 | 1.31 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 370 | $75,120 | $34,840 | $113,870 | 0.63 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 740 | $62,450 | $39,500 | $105,660 | 1.75 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 740 | $46,540 | $36,340 | $96,680 | 3.73 |
The median is $77,930 a year ($37.47 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $46,540 and the highest-paid tenth over $152,530 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
22,640 in May 2025, and BLS projects +12.6% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $127,010 (among states with published figures).