Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Norwalk, CA: $86,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Norwalk, CA earns a median $86,135/year (≈ $41.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Norwalk's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Norwalk, California, is projected to reach a median of $86,135 annually. This figure surpasses the national median of $74,332 by approximately 15.88%, reflecting the unique employment landscape in the region. Salaries for local positions range from $61,421 at the 10th percentile to $108,206 at the 90th percentile, with a substantial variation driven by different workplace settings. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted by regional cost considerations, revealing insights about the economic realities of occupational therapy assistants operating amidst the structural divide between skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospital environments, especially in the wake of recent Medicare cuts.
About the Norwalk Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,421 | $29.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,324 | $34.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,135 | $41.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,301 | $45.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,206 | $52.02 |
Median Salary Position
15.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norwalk
In Norwalk, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,785 (2026 est.). At $86,135, the local median is 15.88% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Norwalk: You'd be above the median
How Norwalk Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Norwalk median: $86,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norwalk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,742 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +15.88% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norwalk, CA earn a median of $86,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.88% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% below the California state average of $86,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norwalk has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Norwalk, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,135 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,158 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,278
2025 BLS Actual
$83,781
2026 Current Est.
$86,135
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norwalk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,278 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,935 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,453 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,651 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,817 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,781 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,556 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norwalk metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,278 (2019) to $83,781 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,556 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,278 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norwalk 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) | $61,421 – $71,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,324 – $86,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,135 – $95,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,301 – $108,206 |
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 Norwalk
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Norwalk shows a modest local presence, with just 22 employed in this field. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are above the national average, the higher expenses can affect disposable income. Positions in skilled nursing facilities generally offer lower compensation compared to inpatient rehab hospitals, outpatient clinics, and school district contracts due to the pressures of productivity and varying reimbursement rates, particularly since the 15% Medicare cut for OTA-provided services began impacting earnings in 2022. To enhance earning potential, aspiring COTAs in Norwalk should consider roles in hospital settings, seek contracts that allow for weekend or PRN hours, and explore educational pathways such as the transition from COTA to MOT—positions that tend to have a higher paycheck associated with them.
More salary data for Norwalk, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $83,781 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Norwalk 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 Norwalk 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