Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Glendale, AZ: $76,889 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Glendale, AZ earns a median $76,889/year (≈ $36.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Glendale's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $78,060 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Glendale, Arizona, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is set at $76,889 for 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $74,332. The salary range showcases a spectrum—from an entry-level pay at $51,480 to a top-tier earning of $97,494. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost disparities. As the job market faces pressures from Medicare cuts and varied workplace settings, occupational therapy assistants in Glendale navigate a complex landscape of opportunities across skilled nursing facilities, educational institutions, and outpatient clinics, shaping their compensation trajectory.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,198 | $30.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,889 | $36.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,996 | $40.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,494 | $46.87 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glendale
In Glendale, AZ, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,014 (2026 est.). At $76,889, the local median is 3.44% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Glendale: You'd be above the median
How Glendale Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Glendale median: $76,889/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Glendale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $73,227 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.44% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Glendale, AZ earn a median of $76,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.00% above the Arizona state average of $73,227.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Glendale has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Glendale, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $76,889 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,060 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,626
2025 BLS Actual
$74,787
2026 Current Est.
$76,889
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,626 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,105 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,408 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,787 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,889 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,049 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Glendale metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,626 (2019) to $74,787 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,423 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glendale 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) | $51,480 – $63,198 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,198 – $76,889 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,889 – $84,996 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,996 – $97,494 |
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 Glendale
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants employs about 50 professionals, providing a glimpse into the competitive dynamics of Glendale's healthcare scene. With a cost-of-living index at 98.5, professionals in this city enjoy relatively favorable purchasing power, enabling them to balance lifestyle and work. Among potential employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities tend to offer the highest salaries, influenced by the demands of acute patient care. Conversely, roles in schools generally yield lower pay due to budget constraints and the implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has further affected compensation in skilled nursing and outpatient settings. To maximize earnings, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider roles in high-paying environments, seek PRN opportunities for weekend work, and explore contracts that span summer and school-year services, effectively capitalizing on diverse settings to increase their overall occupational therapy assistant pay in Glendale, AZ.
More salary data for Glendale, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Glendale, AZ in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Glendale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Glendale?
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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 $74,787 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Glendale 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
Salary data for Glendale is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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