Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oxnard, CA: $84,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Oxnard, CA earns a median $84,366/year (≈ $40.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Oxnard's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 110.5), that paycheck buys what $76,326 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Oxnard, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $84,366 in 2026, marking a notable 13.50% increase over the national median of $74,332 for the same year. The salary range reflects a broad spectrum of opportunities in this field, with earnings varying between $66,498 at the 10th percentile and $110,469 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, sheds light on the local job market dynamics in a region shaped by changes in healthcare funding, especially post-Medicare cuts. Various practice settings, including skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and school district contracts, influence compensation levels for occupational therapy assistants, illustrating the complexities of pay structure in Oxnard's healthcare ecosystem.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,498 | $31.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,344 | $37.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,366 | $40.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,574 | $49.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,469 | $53.11 |
Median Salary Position
13.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oxnard
In Oxnard, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,971 (2026 est.). At $84,366, the local median is 13.5% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oxnard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oxnard Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Oxnard median: $84,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oxnard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,796 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +13.50% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oxnard, CA earn a median of $84,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.50% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the California state average of $86,796.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oxnard has a cost of living 10.53% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oxnard, CA has a cost-of-living index of 110.534 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,366 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,326 — a 9.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$75,410
2025 BLS Actual
$82,060
2026 Current Est.
$84,366
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oxnard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,737 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oxnard metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 8.8% from $75,410 (2019) to $82,060 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,327 (15.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxnard 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) | $66,498 – $77,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,344 – $84,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,366 – $102,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,574 – $110,469 |
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 Oxnard
In Oxnard, approximately 80 occupational therapy assistants contribute to the workforce, reflecting the city's demand for skilled professionals in various healthcare environments. The cost of living index stands at 110.534, which indicates that living expenses are above the national average and may affect take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities typically offer the highest compensation, while skilled nursing facilities may struggle to match these rates due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut impacting OTA services. Factors such as practice setting, productivity expectations, and weekend or PRN work premiums create a broad pay distribution, driving some assistants to maximize their earnings through year-round contracts and seeking positions in higher-paying environments. For newcomers entering the field, leveraging COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways could further enhance job prospects and salary potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Oxnard, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Oxnard, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Oxnard?
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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 $82,060 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Oxnard 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