Occupational therapists salary in South East
Full-time average annual pay in South East
£36,279
2025 · moderate suppression
Median
£36,279
Mean
£35,658
| Statistic | Annual pay (gross) |
|---|---|
| Median | £36,279 |
| Mean | £35,658 |
Region-level range withheld by ONS — UK-wide, the middle half of occupational therapists earn £29,424–£46,309. See full methodology →
Understanding Occupational therapists pay in South East
The typical occupational therapists in South East earns a median salary of £36,279 in 2025/26 — 2.5% (£922) below the UK-wide median of £37,201. These figures come from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), so they reflect actual reported pay rather than self-reported estimates or job-advert ranges.
Across the UK, South East ranks 7th of 11 regions for occupational therapists pay. Regional medians run from £29,782 in East Midlands up to £50,032 in London, a spread of £20,250 (68%).
The mean (average) salary is £35,658, close to the median — the two measures broadly agree for occupational therapists in South East, and the median remains the clearest guide to typical pay.
To see what £36,279 means after income tax and National Insurance, use the take-home pay calculator below — it also factors in student loan repayments.
Take-home pay estimate
Tax year 2025/26| Monthly | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | £3,023 | £36,279 |
| Income tax | £395 | £4,742 |
| National Insurance | £158 | £1,897 |
| Take-home pay | £2,470 | £29,640 |
Estimate only · 2025/26 HMRC rates · Standard tax code · No pension contribution · Not financial or tax advice
How Occupational therapists pay varies by region
London is the highest-paying region for occupational therapists at £50,032 — 34% above the UK median. East Midlands is lowest at £29,782.
UK median £37,201
| Region | Median payUK median £37,201 | Median | Mean | vs UK median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | £50,032 | £50,032 | £48,577 | +34% |
| Wales | £41,377 | £41,377 | £40,073 | +11% |
| North West | £38,479 | £38,479 | £36,145 | +3% |
| Scotland | £37,220 | £37,220 | £37,415 | ±0% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £37,014 | £37,014 | £37,931 | -1% |
| West Midlands | £36,591 | £36,591 | £38,805 | -2% |
| South East (current region) | £36,279 | £36,279 | £35,658 | -2% |
| South West | £35,247 | £35,247 | £32,354 | -5% |
| East of England | £35,101 | £35,101 | £36,217 | -6% |
| North East | £34,831 | £34,831 | £35,140 | -6% |
| East Midlands | £29,782 | £29,782 | £33,238 | -20% |
| Region | Median | vs UK |
|---|---|---|
| London £50,032 | £50,032Mean £48,577 | +34% |
| Wales £41,377 | £41,377Mean £40,073 | +11% |
| North West £38,479 | £38,479Mean £36,145 | +3% |
| Scotland £37,220 | £37,220Mean £37,415 | ±0% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber £37,014 | £37,014Mean £37,931 | -1% |
| West Midlands £36,591 | £36,591Mean £38,805 | -2% |
| South East (current region) £36,279 | £36,279Mean £35,658 | -2% |
| South West £35,247 | £35,247Mean £32,354 | -5% |
| East of England £35,101 | £35,101Mean £36,217 | -6% |
| North East £34,831 | £34,831Mean £35,140 | -6% |
| East Midlands £29,782 | £29,782Mean £33,238 | -20% |
Sorted highest median to lowest. The vertical line marks the UK median (£37,201); ‘Vs UK median’ compares each region’s median to it. Suppressed values mean ONS withheld this figure because the sample was too small to publish.
How occupational therapists pay in South East has changed over time
Median annual pay for occupational therapists in South East by year, shown against the UK-wide median (Source: ONS ASHE). The shaded band is the UK-wide 25th–75th percentile range — ONS does not publish percentile ranges at region level.
South East median
UK median
▪ UK-wide 25th–75th percentile range
Pre-2021 figures mapped from SOC 2010 via ONS concordance table
Compare with…
How the figures are sourced
Data sources: Official UK earnings data (2025 provisional)(opens in new tab)
Related roles in Therapy Professionals
Other published roles in this occupation group. View category overview →