TRAVEL RANKING · SOC 29-1122
Best states for travel ots — ranked by real take-home pay.
All 51 states + DC for occupational therapists on a travel-weighted WageBench Score that adds stipend efficiency + license portability on top of base pay and tax.
NATIONAL MEDIAN
$100,330
↑ 2.0% vs 2024
TOP PICK
Arkansas
WageBench Score (Travel) 82
NO STATE INCOME TAX
9 / 51
states
Every state · OTs
WageBench Score (Travel) = 35% pay power · 30% stipend efficiency · 20% license access · 10% demand · 5% livability. Click any column header to sort. Click any state for the full breakdown.
51 states · page 1 of 3
COL = cost of living vs the US average (avg = national average, + pricier, − cheaper). Wages: BLS OEWS 2025; COL: BEA Regional Price Parity.
| Rank | State | Median | Take-Home | ≈ /week | State Tax | COL | PT Compact | Crisis | WB Score ↓ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Arkansas | $106,360 | $102,637 | $1,974 | 3.5% | -13% | ✓ | — | 82 | |
| #2 | Oklahoma | $104,300 | $99,607 | $1,916 | 4.5% | -12% | ✓ | Active | 81 | |
| #3 | Ohio | $99,390 | $96,408 | $1,854 | 3.0% | -7% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #4 | New Mexico | $99,170 | $94,311 | $1,814 | 4.9% | -8% | — | — | 80 | |
| #5 | Texas | $106,140 | $106,140 | $2,041 | 0.0% | -3% | ✓ | Active | 80 | |
| #6 | Tennessee | $97,700 | $97,700 | $1,879 | 0.0% | -8% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #7 | Louisiana | $98,490 | $95,535 | $1,837 | 3.0% | -12% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #8 | South Carolina | $101,130 | $95,568 | $1,838 | 5.5% | -6% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #9 | Missouri | $97,290 | $92,912 | $1,787 | 4.5% | -9% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #10 | Mississippi | $94,930 | $90,753 | $1,745 | 4.4% | -13% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #11 | Georgia | $104,010 | $98,393 | $1,892 | 5.4% | -4% | ✓ | Active | 80 | |
| #12 | Alabama | $94,050 | $90,288 | $1,736 | 4.0% | -11% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #13 | Kentucky | $97,650 | $93,744 | $1,803 | 4.0% | -10% | ✓ | — | 80 | |
| #14 | West Virginia | $96,190 | $91,573 | $1,761 | 4.8% | -11% | ✓ | — | 79 | |
| #15 | Washington | $107,670 | $107,670 | $2,071 | 0.0% | +7% | ✓ | — | 79 | |
| #16 | Colorado | $106,720 | $102,024 | $1,962 | 4.4% | +3% | ✓ | Active | 79 | |
| #17 | Indiana | $97,020 | $94,061 | $1,809 | 3.0% | -7% | ✓ | — | 79 | |
| #18 | Kansas | $99,170 | $93,964 | $1,807 | 5.3% | -10% | ✓ | — | 79 | |
| #19 | North Carolina | $92,940 | $88,990 | $1,711 | 4.3% | -6% | ✓ | — | 78 | |
| #20 | Pennsylvania | $98,440 | $95,418 | $1,835 | 3.1% | -2% | ✓ | — | 78 | |
| #21 | Arizona | $103,660 | $101,069 | $1,944 | 2.5% | +1% | ✓ | — | 78 | |
| #22 | Iowa | $89,910 | $86,493 | $1,663 | 3.8% | -12% | ✓ | — | 78 | |
| #23 | Nebraska | $93,740 | $89,240 | $1,716 | 4.8% | -10% | ✓ | Active | 78 | |
| #24 | North Dakota | $83,200 | $81,536 | $1,568 | 2.0% | -11% | ✓ | — | 78 | |
| #25 | South Dakota | $85,050 | $85,050 | $1,636 | 0.0% | -11% | ✓ | Active | 78 |
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WHY ARKANSAS TOPS THE LIST
Arkansas pays $106,360, but the real story is take-home.
At $106,360 median, the after-state-tax take-home is $102,637/yr — about $1,974/week before federal tax. Effective state tax around 3.5% keeps more of the sticker rate.
See every metro in this state → Arkansas wage breakdown