Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in San Diego, CA: $85,003 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in San Diego, CA earns a median $85,003/year (≈ $40.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $75,972 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, the earnings for occupational therapy assistants reflect a lucrative opportunity, with a median annual salary projected at $85,003 in 2026. This figure positions the city significantly above the national median of $74,332, suggesting a favorable earning potential for professionals in this field. With salaries ranging from $72,995 at the 10th percentile to $106,316 at the 90th percentile, the compensation landscape illustrates the increasing demand for skilled practitioners. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys show that the local job market not only nourishes career growth but also highlights the complexity of compensation structures influenced by productivity expectations and patient visits, which are essential for effective revenue generation in health care settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,995 | $35.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,123 | $38.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,003 | $40.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,446 | $46.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,316 | $51.12 |
Median Salary Position
14.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,321 (2026 est.). At $85,003, the local median is 14.36% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
San Diego median: $85,003/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,738 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +14.36% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Diego, CA earn a median of $85,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.36% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the California state average of $86,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,003 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,972 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,450
2025 BLS Actual
$82,680
2026 Current Est.
$85,003
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,003 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 22.6% from $67,450 (2019) to $82,680 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,942 (29.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $72,995 – $79,123 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,123 – $85,003 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,003 – $96,446 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,446 – $106,316 |
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 San Diego
The local market for occupational therapy assistants in San Diego employs approximately 360 professionals, presenting a steady demand for qualified personnel. However, the cost of living index of 111.887 indicates that the financial reality may affect take-home purchasing power. Employers that typically offer the highest pay include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and early intervention programs, where reimbursement structures can be more favorable. Disparities in earnings can stem from varying productivity expectations, contract types, and settings. For instance, positions in hospitals generally pay more than those in school districts or skilled nursing facilities, largely due to the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services and per diem incentives. To maximize pay in San Diego, it is advisable for occupational therapy assistants to seek year-round contracts in settings with higher reimbursement rates, consider overtime opportunities, and explore pathways from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) to enhance their qualifications.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in San Diego, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in San Diego?
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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 $82,680 for occupational therapy assistantsin the San Diego 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