Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rancho Cordova, CA: $86,058 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Rancho Cordova, CA earns a median $86,058/year (≈ $41.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Rancho Cordova's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,090 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rancho Cordova, California, can expect a median annual salary of $86,058 in 2026, reflecting the area's competitive wages compared to the national median of $74,332. Salaries for this role vary significantly, with the lowest earners at $58,407 (P10) and the highest reaching $109,253 (P90). These figures are drawn from BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for local price considerations. This compensation range suggests that productivity and visits per day will significantly affect overall earnings, emphasizing the importance of work setting and patient load in a market that favors experienced providers.
About the Rancho Cordova Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,407 | $28.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,812 | $36.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,058 | $41.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,021 | $44.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,253 | $52.53 |
Median Salary Position
15.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cordova
In Rancho Cordova, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,846 (2026 est.). At $86,058, the local median is 15.78% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cordova: You'd be above the median
How Rancho Cordova Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Rancho Cordova median: $86,058/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cordova Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,752 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +15.78% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $86,058 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.78% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% below the California state average of $86,752.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cordova has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cordova, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,058 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,090 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$71,214
2025 BLS Actual
$83,706
2026 Current Est.
$86,058
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rancho Cordova (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,214 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,869 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,468 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,386 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,581 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,058 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,476 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cordova metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,214 (2019) to $83,706 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,262 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cordova 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) | $58,407 – $75,812 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,812 – $86,058 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,058 – $93,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,021 – $109,253 |
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 Rancho Cordova
Focusing on the dynamics of the local job market, Rancho Cordova currently employs 20 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a steady demand. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 points to a higher-than-average housing and living expenses, which can impact take-home pay for many professionals. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab groups typically offer the most lucrative salaries in the area, while outpatient clinics may present more variable pay due to productivity benchmarks and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has tightened budgets in various settings. To maximize pay, occupational therapy assistants should consider diversifying their contracts, working in higher-paying environments, or even pursuing specialized skills that can lead to advanced positions or bridge programs to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree.
More salary data for Rancho Cordova, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Rancho Cordova, CA in 2026?
Is Rancho Cordova, CA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Rancho Cordova?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Rancho Cordova?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Rancho Cordova?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $83,706 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova 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