Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Sacramento, CA: $97,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Sacramento, CA earns a median $97,855/year (≈ $47.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $91,736 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Sacramento earn a median salary of $97,855, which reflects a remarkable increase compared to the national average of $74,332. The salary landscape in this city shows a range from $79,328 at the 10th percentile to $110,757 at the 90th percentile, indicating the diverse opportunities available in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. The figure draws from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrating how Sacramento's job market responds to local conditions, particularly in light of adjustments like the recent cuts in Medicare reimbursement, which have impacted pay structures across settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,328 | $38.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,327 | $41.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,855 | $47.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,478 | $49.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,757 | $53.25 |
Median Salary Position
31.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,429 (2026 est.). At $97,855, the local median is 31.65% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be above the median
How Sacramento Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $97,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,750 | +12.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +31.65% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $97,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.65% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 12.80% above the California state average of $86,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,855 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $91,736 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,910
2025 BLS Actual
$95,180
2026 Current Est.
$97,855
2019–2027 Growth
+11.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,604 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 5.9% from $89,910 (2019) to $95,180 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,604 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,694 (11.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $79,328 – $87,327 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,327 – $97,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,855 – $103,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,478 – $110,757 |
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 Sacramento
In terms of the local employment scene, Sacramento has approximately 170 occupational therapy assistants currently working. To contextualize the occupational therapy assistant pay in Sacramento, one must consider the local cost of living index, which stands at 106.67—above the national average. This elevated cost impacts take-home pay, necessitating strategic employment choices. Generally, settings such as hospital inpatient rehab offer higher compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities, with school district contracts often providing less. The disparity in wages can be attributed to differences in productivity expectations, the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, and other contract variations. For OTAs in Sacramento, aiming for positions in hospitals or seeking roles that embrace year-round contracts rather than school-year specifics could maximize their earning potential in a fluctuating market.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Sacramento?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Sacramento?
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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 $95,180 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Sacramento 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