Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in San Francisco, CA: $100,610 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in San Francisco, CA earns a median $100,610/year (≈ $48.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $87,023 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in San Francisco is projected at $100,610, significantly surpassing the national median by about 35.35%. These professionals can expect to earn between $84,613 and $126,117, a range that reflects the productivity expectations and varying responsibilities within this role. The figures presented here are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. In a thriving job market like San Francisco, where demand for therapy services continues to grow, the competitive pay reflects both the region's cost of living and the specialized skills required for effective patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,613 | $40.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,805 | $43.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,610 | $48.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,896 | $52.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,117 | $60.63 |
Median Salary Position
35.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,504 (2026 est.). At $100,610, the local median is 35.35% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $100,610/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,807 | +15.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +35.35% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $100,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.35% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 15.90% above the California state average of $86,807.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $100,610 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,023 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,200
2025 BLS Actual
$97,860
2026 Current Est.
$100,610
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $88,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 28.4% from $76,200 (2019) to $97,860 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,237 (35.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $84,613 – $89,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,805 – $100,610 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,610 – $108,896 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,896 – $126,117 |
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 Francisco
With 290 occupational therapy assistants employed in San Francisco, the local job market remains robust, particularly as the cost-of-living index stands at 115.613, emphasizing the high demand and expenses of living in CA. Among various employers, inpatient rehab facilities generally offer the highest wages, followed by outpatient centers and skilled nursing facilities, especially considering the impact of recent Medicare reimbursement cuts. This disparity in compensation often stems from factors such as workplace setting, the pressure of productivity expectations, and potential premiums for weekend or PRN shifts. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in San Francisco, actively seeking contracts in higher-paying environments and considering the impact of the school year schedule can provide more financial stability during the year-round contracts’ ebb and flow.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in San Francisco?
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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 $97,860 for occupational therapy assistantsin the San Francisco 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