Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Anchorage, AK: $50,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Anchorage, AK earns a median $50,428/year (≈ $24.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Anchorage's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $47,835 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 36.1% below the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the compensation for occupational therapy assistants in Anchorage, Alaska, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $50,428. This figure displays a considerable divergence from the national median of $74,332, marking a notable 32.16% difference. The salary range for this occupation in the city varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $35,068 and the highest 90% earning as much as $98,595. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect ongoing shifts in the local healthcare landscape, particularly the structural divide among skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. With the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting service delivery extensively, competition remains fierce, and market dynamics heavily influence earnings for occupational therapy assistants in Anchorage.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,068 | $16.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,729 | $18.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,428 | $24.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,409 | $42.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,595 | $47.41 |
Median Salary Position
32.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Anchorage
In Anchorage, AK, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,527 (2026 est.). At $50,428, the local median is 32.16% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Anchorage: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Anchorage Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Anchorage median: $50,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Anchorage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $78,918 | -36.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -32.16% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Anchorage, AK earn a median of $50,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.16% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 36.10% below the Alaska state average of $78,918.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Anchorage has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Anchorage, AK has a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,428 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,835 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,730
2025 BLS Actual
$49,050
2026 Current Est.
$50,428
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,879 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,845 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Anchorage metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $41,730 (2019) to $49,050 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,845 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,115 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Anchorage metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,068 – $38,729 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,729 – $50,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,428 – $87,409 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,409 – $98,595 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Anchorage
Currently, approximately 50 occupational therapy assistants are working in Anchorage, navigating a job market where the cost of living is slightly elevated, with a Cost of Living Index of 105.42. This economic reality affects take-home pay and purchasing power, necessitating strategic career choices. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher pay compared to school districts, while the outpatient clinics might provide more flexible schedules. The variance in salaries can largely be attributed to the settings in which occupational therapy assistants operate; for instance, hospital roles generally command higher compensation, particularly for those willing to work weekends or in per diem positions. To maximize earning potential, COTAs in Anchorage should consider pursuing further education or certifications that align with high-demand areas and be conscious of how service settings, along with the effects of the recent Medicare cuts, can impact job availability and wages.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $49,050 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Anchorage metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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