Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Redding, CA: $85,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Redding, CA earns a median $85,564/year (≈ $41.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Redding's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Redding, California, can expect a median annual salary of $85,564 in 2026. This figure reflects a strong position compared to the national median of $74,332, representing a 15.11% increase. The salary range for these professionals spans from $61,632 at the 10th percentile to $107,859 at the 90th percentile, indicating diversity in pay relative to experience and setting. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, providing an accurate picture of what COTAs might earn locally. For those seeking to boost their career and lifetime earnings, pursuing a bridge from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) could be a beneficial pathway given these salary potentialities in Redding's job market.
About the Redding Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,632 | $29.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,912 | $35.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,564 | $41.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,025 | $45.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,859 | $51.86 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redding
In Redding, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,227 (2026 est.). At $85,564, the local median is 15.11% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Redding: You'd be above the median
How Redding Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Redding median: $85,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redding Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,779 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +15.11% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Redding, CA earn a median of $85,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the California state average of $86,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redding has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redding, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,564 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,653 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,805
2025 BLS Actual
$83,225
2026 Current Est.
$85,564
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Redding (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,805 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,451 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,959 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,136 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,968 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redding metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $70,805 (2019) to $83,225 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,968 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,163 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redding 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) | $61,632 – $72,912 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,912 – $85,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,564 – $95,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,025 – $107,859 |
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 Redding
In Redding, only 13 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, which suggests a relatively small but stable job market. The cost of living index in the area is 113.1, indicating that general expenses are higher than the national average, which can affect the purchasing power of salaries. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings tend to offer the highest pay, likely due to increased productivity expectations and the complexities involved in care. Additionally, the ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services has impacted earnings, especially in outpatient and skilled nursing settings. To maximize income potential in Redding's market, COTAs might consider pursuing positions in high-paying environments like hospitals while exploring flexible contracts with school districts or home health agencies that may offer year-round or weekend work opportunities. Understanding these dynamics can help ensure a more lucrative career as occupational therapy assistants navigate their professional options.
More salary data for Redding, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Redding?
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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 $83,225 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Redding 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 Redding 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