Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Riverside, CA: $82,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Riverside, CA earns a median $82,320/year (≈ $39.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $77,338 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Riverside, CA, can expect a median annual salary of $82,320, offering a competitive edge compared to the national figure of $74,332. The salary range for this role extends from $67,505 at the 10th percentile to $101,083 at the 90th percentile, depending largely on experience, setting, and productivity expectations. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Office of Employment and Wage Statistics, which reflects current trends impacting compensation across various regions. Given Riverside's growing demand for healthcare services, the occupational therapy assistant job market appears strong, supported by an annual growth rate of 2.81%.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,505 | $32.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,352 | $37.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,320 | $39.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,872 | $42.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,083 | $48.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,578 (2026 est.). At $82,320, the local median is 10.75% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Riverside median: $82,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,744 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +10.75% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Riverside, CA earn a median of $82,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.75% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.10% below the California state average of $86,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,320 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,338 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,120
2025 BLS Actual
$80,070
2026 Current Est.
$82,320
2019–2027 Growth
+15.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,633 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 9.5% from $73,120 (2019) to $80,070 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,633 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,513 (15.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $67,505 – $78,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,352 – $82,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,320 – $87,872 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,872 – $101,083 |
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 Riverside
Even with attractive salary projections, the cost of living in Riverside, with an index of 106.442, means that take-home purchasing power is a consideration for occupational therapy assistants. In this area, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay compared to settings such as school districts or home health agencies. The disparity in earnings can be influenced by productivity requirements, the prevalence of weekend and PRN shift premiums, and contractual differences between school-year and year-round positions. Moreover, the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has impacted OTA-provided services since 2022 contributes to current salary compressions, particularly in outpatient and skilled nursing environments. To maximize earnings, COTAs might consider opportunities in positions that favor stability and consistent patient load, while also looking into potential COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways for long-term career advancement.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Riverside, CA in 2026?
Is Riverside, CA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Riverside?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Riverside?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Riverside?
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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 $80,070 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Riverside 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