OT Assistant Salary

Shoreline vs Spokane: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Shoreline, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Shoreline, WA
$80,074
$38.49/hr
Spokane, WA
$72,553
$34.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricShoreline, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$80,074$72,553
Hourly Rate$38.49$34.88
Entry Level (P10)$55,801$59,877
25th Percentile$66,827$63,701
75th Percentile$87,521$82,803
Top Earner (P90)$98,594$85,836
Total Employed8110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Shoreline ($80,074) and Spokane ($72,553) occupational therapy assistant salaries.ShorelineSpokaneMedian Salary$80,074$72,553Entry Level (P10)$55,801$59,877Top Earner (P90)$98,594$85,836US Median $74,332

Verdict

Shoreline, WA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spokane.

The salary gap between Shoreline and Spokane is $7,521 (10.37%). Shoreline's median is +7.72% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Shoreline spans $42,793,Spokane spans $25,959. Shoreline has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$55,801
P25$66,827
Median$80,074
P75$87,521
P90 (Top)$98,594
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$59,877
P25$63,701
Median$72,553
P75$82,803
P90 (Top)$85,836

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shoreline ($74,557 effective) pays 3.12% more than Spokane ($72,303 effective).

Shoreline
Nominal: $80,074
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $74,557
Spokane
Nominal: $72,553
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $72,303

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Shoreline if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,074/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,594)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,557)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Shoreline grew 0.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 17.5% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Shoreline, WA

+0.4%

$77,562 (2024) → $77,885 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+17.5%

$60,070 (2019) → $70,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Shoreline or Spokane?

Shoreline has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $80,074/year, compared to Spokane at $72,553/year — a difference of $7,521 (10.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Shoreline and Spokane?

Shoreline occupational therapy assistants earn $38.49/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $34.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Shoreline to Spokane as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Shoreline and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Shoreline = $74,557, Spokane = $72,303), job availability (8 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Shoreline vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $55,801 in Shoreline and $59,877 in Spokane. The Spokane area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov