Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $80,284 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $80,284/year (≈ $38.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $70,694 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected occupational therapy assistant salary in Los Angeles is projected to be $80,284, surpassing the national median of $74,332 by 8.01%. The salary range for occupational therapy assistants in this area spans from $66,467 at the 10th percentile to $106,038 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With a growing demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector, particularly as many COTAs seek to bridge their qualifications to pursue a Master's in Occupational Therapy (MOT), this upward potential in earnings is significant. The Los Angeles job market shows a strong inclination for higher compensation compared to other locations, underscoring the value placed on occupational therapy services in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,467 | $31.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,393 | $37.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,284 | $38.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,619 | $45.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,038 | $50.98 |
Median Salary Position
8.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,571 (2026 est.). At $80,284, the local median is 8.01% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $80,284/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,794 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +8.01% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $80,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 7.50% below the California state average of $86,794.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,284 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,694 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,000
2025 BLS Actual
$78,090
2026 Current Est.
$80,284
2019–2027 Growth
+16.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,284 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 10.0% from $71,000 (2019) to $78,090 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,540 (16.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $66,467 – $78,393 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,393 – $80,284 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,284 – $93,619 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,619 – $106,038 |
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 Los Angeles
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants is robust, with 1,720 professionals currently employed in Los Angeles, CA. However, a cost-of-living index of 113.566 indicates that wages must be carefully evaluated against the high expenses typically associated with urban living. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer the most competitive pay, often reflecting higher productivity expectations and weekend or PRN shifts that attract premium compensation. This variation in pay can also be influenced by the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements, which has particularly compressed earnings in outpatient settings and skilled nursing facilities. To maximize earnings, COTAs should consider pursuing home health agency positions or seek contracts within school districts to avoid disruptions caused by the school-year calendar. Understanding these dynamics equips occupational therapy assistants with the tools to optimize their pay in Los Angeles while navigating the realities of the healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Los Angeles?
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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 $78,090 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Los Angeles 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, 7-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