Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ontario, CA: $83,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ontario, CA earns a median $83,429/year (≈ $40.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ontario's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,766 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ontario, California, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 stands at $83,429, a figure that reflects a competitive market when compared to the national median of $74,332. Local estimates reveal a salary range from $57,042 at the lower decile to as much as $104,834 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the disparities that can exist within this field. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a robust earning potential for professionals. With many choosing to advance their training from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master’s level Occupational Therapist (MOT), the financial benefits over a career span can be significant, making Ontario an attractive option for those entering this healthcare profession.
About the Ontario Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,042 | $27.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,973 | $33.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,429 | $40.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,129 | $44.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,834 | $50.40 |
Median Salary Position
12.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ontario
In Ontario, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,792 (2026 est.). At $83,429, the local median is 12.24% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ontario: You'd be above the median
How Ontario Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ontario median: $83,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ontario Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,815 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +12.24% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ontario, CA earn a median of $83,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.24% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.90% below the California state average of $86,815.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ontario has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ontario, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,429 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,766 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,038
2025 BLS Actual
$81,149
2026 Current Est.
$83,429
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,038 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,643 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,114 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,212 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,617 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,774 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ontario metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $69,038 (2019) to $81,149 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,774 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,736 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ontario 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) | $57,042 – $68,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,973 – $83,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,429 – $92,129 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,129 – $104,834 |
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 Ontario
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Ontario sees approximately 42 individuals employed in this role, a moderate yet stable workforce size. However, the cost of living in this area is indexed at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries may appear strong, they must be weighed against local living expenses, which may impact take-home pay. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, often due to the intensity and setting of care required. Factors contributing to the pay variance in Ontario range from the demands of specific workplaces to the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting outpatient services. Those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Ontario, CA, might benefit from pursuing positions in hospital settings, seeking out roles with weekend or PRN shifts that often come with premium pay, and considering contracts that allow for greater year-round employment stability.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ontario, CA in 2026?
Is Ontario, CA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ontario?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Ontario?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Ontario?
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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 $81,149 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ontario 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 Ontario 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