Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Madera, CA: $84,752 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Madera, CA earns a median $84,752/year (≈ $40.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Madera, California, the projected compensation for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 reveals a median annual salary of $84,752, significantly surpassing the national figure of $74,332. The local salary spectrum ranges from $62,240 at the 10th percentile to $105,019 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various factors such as setting and employee experience. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differentials, illustrate the productivity expectations that shape earnings within this role. Given the compact job market with only eight occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, the dynamics of patient visits per day become a critical component in driving effective compensation in Madera.
About the Madera Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,240 | $29.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,115 | $35.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,752 | $40.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,294 | $44.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,019 | $50.49 |
Median Salary Position
14.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera
In Madera, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,779 (2026 est.). At $84,752, the local median is 14.02% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Madera: You'd be above the median
How Madera Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Madera median: $84,752/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madera Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,748 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +14.02% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Madera, CA earn a median of $84,752 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.02% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% below the California state average of $86,748.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madera has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,752 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,935 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,133
2025 BLS Actual
$82,436
2026 Current Est.
$84,752
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Madera (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,133 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,384 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,257 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,404 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,375 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,752 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,134 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $70,133 (2019) to $82,436 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,001 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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) | $62,240 – $73,115 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,115 – $84,752 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,752 – $93,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,294 – $105,019 |
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 Madera
While the earnings appear attractive, the cost of living index in Madera stands at 113.1, indicating that everyday expenses are higher than the national average. This economic backdrop places pressure on take-home pay and purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants. Facilities that tend to offer the best pay include acute care hospitals and outpatient clinics, where reimbursement rates can be influenced by factors like the operational setting and the effects of the 15% Medicare cut on OTA services. Moreover, disparities in salaries can arise from varying productivity expectations, weekend and PRN shift premiums, and whether positions offer year-round contracts versus those in academic settings. To maximize earning potential in this competitive market, it is advisable for COTAs to actively seek roles within high-paying environments and consider further professional development through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, which can enhance qualifications and increase market value.
More salary data for Madera, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Madera, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Madera?
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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 $82,436 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Madera 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 Madera 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