Occupational Therapist Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Occupational Therapists in Sydney earn a median salary of $100,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $85,000 and $121,750. That sits 5% above Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 124 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Sydney in the last 30 days.

▲ High demand Top 4% of roles by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +8 listings vs last month
💰 Occupational Therapist · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$85,000 – $121,750
Median: $100,000
May $100k
Jun $100k
→ Stable

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Mid level $85,250 – $124,500
Senior level $100,000 – $119,985
Overall $85k–$121k Mid $85k–$124k Senior $100k–$119k $82k $91k $100k $109k $119k $128k
High confidence 124 listings (+8 vs last month) · 05/07/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

Where does your salary sit?
Enter your salary to see where you rank.
Bottom 10%  $85,000 Median  $100,000 $121,750  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

Occupational therapists are one of Sydney's most in-demand roles, 124 listings in the 96th percentile, up from 116, with the median holding at $100k. That $100k sits just 5.3% above the city's all-roles median, and the level data shows why the ceiling feels close: mid OTs median $100k and even seniors only reach $103k, a remarkably flat curve. NDIS and allied-health funding keeps pay uniform, $100k is the median in every capital, so this is a role where the city barely moves the number. The story is volume and stability, not a pay premium.

Take Home Pay (based on median $100,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,443
Monthly (net)
~$6,253
Annual (net)
~$75,033
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $111,500

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Occupational Therapist in Sydney?
Mid OTs start around $85k and median $100k, and there is no separate entry band in the data because the role requires a four-year degree and AHPRA registration to begin. What lifts a newer OT toward the $124.5k top is setting and caseload: private practice and NDIS work over public health, paediatric or complex-needs specialisation, and building a full billable caseload.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Sydney?
Yes, though modestly. At $100k the median beats Sydney's $95k all-roles figure by 5.3% and nets about $75k after tax, solid for an allied-health professional, if unspectacular for the degree it requires. OT pay is funding-anchored, so it is fair rather than generous and barely moves between cities. The honest note is that the senior curve is flat ($103k), so the money comes from private caseload, not seniority.
How much does a Senior Occupational Therapist make in Sydney?
Senior OTs median just $103k here, only $3k above mid, an unusually flat curve. Because seniority barely moves base pay, the real upside is private practice, running your own caseload and billing, or moving into clinical-lead, team-management or NDIS-coordination roles. Specialising (paediatrics, hand therapy, complex rehab) and building a private book is what pushes earnings past the salaried band.

Other roles in Sydney

Occupational Therapist salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $100,000 —
Newcastle $102,500 ~same
Brisbane $100,000 ~same
Melbourne $100,000 ~same
Perth $100,000 ~same

Uncover hidden salary ranges on Seek

Paste any job URL to bypass the "competitive salary" text and see the exact employer budget instantly.

Check a Listing Install Extension

Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.