Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fontana, CA: $90,236 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fontana, CA earns a median $90,236/year (≈ $43.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fontana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $79,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Fontana, California, can expect a median annual salary of $90,236, significantly surpassing the national average for this role, which stands at $74,332. Local projections indicate that salaries range from $59,317 at the lower end to $115,692 for the top earners, highlighting a competitive landscape for occupational therapy assistant pay in Fontana, CA. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local price levels, reflect the city's unique market conditions. With a projected growth rate of 2.81% annually, opportunities in this field are expected to expand, particularly as the demand for therapy services continues to rise.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,317 | $28.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,122 | $35.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,236 | $43.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,710 | $48.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,692 | $55.62 |
Median Salary Position
21.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fontana
In Fontana, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,375 (2026 est.). At $90,236, the local median is 21.4% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Fontana: You'd be above the median
How Fontana Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fontana median: $90,236/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fontana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,766 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +21.40% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fontana, CA earn a median of $90,236 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.40% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% above the California state average of $86,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fontana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fontana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,236 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,784 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,671
2025 BLS Actual
$87,770
2026 Current Est.
$90,236
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,671 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,407 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,938 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,998 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,348 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,093 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,236 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,772 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fontana metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $74,671 (2019) to $87,770 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,772 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,101 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana 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) | $59,317 – $73,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,122 – $90,236 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,236 – $100,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,710 – $115,692 |
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 Fontana
Looking at the job market in Fontana reveals that there are currently 32 occupational therapy assistants employed locally. The cost of living index sits at 113.1, suggesting that while the salaries are above the national median, the purchasing power is tempered by higher living expenses. Among the various employment settings, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab services traditionally offer better pay compared to school districts or outpatient clinics. Factors influencing the salary spread include the type of setting, productivity expectations, and the impact of the Medicare reimbursement cuts that occurred in 2022. To maximize earnings, occupational therapy assistants in Fontana should consider positions in environments that offer incentives for weekend or PRN work, as well as seeking opportunities that favor year-round contracts over school-year positions, effectively balancing their income against the city's cost of living.
More salary data for Fontana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Fontana, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Fontana?
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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 $87,770 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fontana 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 Fontana 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