Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Merced, CA: $84,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Merced, CA earns a median $84,306/year (≈ $40.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Merced's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an occupational therapy assistant in Merced, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $84,306, which is significantly higher than the national median of $74,332. The pay scale in this area ranges from $58,751 at the 10th percentile to $103,805 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying productivity expectations and job settings that influence compensation. Salaries and rates have been adjusted based on local cost-of-living factors. This indicates a competitive employment environment for occupational therapy assistants, evidenced by the presence of opportunities across various sectors, including schools and healthcare facilities, that drive demand and help define the local job market dynamics.
About the Merced Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,751 | $28.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,359 | $33.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,306 | $40.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,148 | $44.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,805 | $49.90 |
Median Salary Position
13.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,054 (2026 est.). At $84,306, the local median is 13.42% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be above the median
How Merced Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Merced median: $84,306/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,735 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +13.42% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Merced, CA earn a median of $84,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.42% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the California state average of $86,735.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,306 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,541 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,764
2025 BLS Actual
$82,002
2026 Current Est.
$84,306
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,764 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,386 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,014 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,872 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,002 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,909 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,002 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $69,764 (2019) to $82,002 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,911 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $58,751 – $70,359 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,359 – $84,306 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,306 – $92,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,148 – $103,805 |
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 Merced
Currently, only 20 occupational therapy assistants are employed locally, which highlights a niche but essential job market in Merced. The cost-of-living index at 113.1 also adds complexity; it suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, increased living costs may impact overall purchasing power. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer the most competitive wages. Factors that create pay disparities include the setting—hospital jobs typically pay more than school district contracts—and the effects of Medicare's 15% reimbursement cut on service rates. For occupational therapy assistants to maximize their pay in Merced, targeting jobs in higher-paying settings, negotiating based on productivity metrics, and considering year-round contracts can be advantageous strategies in navigating the local market.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Merced, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Merced?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Merced?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Merced?
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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 $82,002 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Merced 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 Merced 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