Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in San Leandro, CA: $85,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in San Leandro, CA earns a median $85,289/year (≈ $41.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in San Leandro's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected annual compensation for an occupational therapy assistant in San Leandro, California, is projected to be $85,289, reflecting a significant local market positioning compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this occupation spans from $63,399 at the 10th percentile to $109,860 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potentials based on factors such as experience, setting, and demand. Given that salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, it becomes clear that productivity expectations within local practice environments substantially influence earning outcomes. The effective case volume that an assistant manages daily can largely dictate their overall compensation, making job selection and work settings key considerations for practitioners navigating San Leandro's occupational therapy landscape.
About the San Leandro Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,399 | $30.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,218 | $35.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,289 | $41.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,208 | $43.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,860 | $52.81 |
Median Salary Position
14.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Leandro
In San Leandro, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,461 (2026 est.). At $85,289, the local median is 14.74% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Leandro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Leandro Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
San Leandro median: $85,289/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Leandro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,764 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +14.74% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Leandro, CA earn a median of $85,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.74% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.70% below the California state average of $86,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Leandro has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Leandro, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,289 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,410 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,577
2025 BLS Actual
$82,958
2026 Current Est.
$85,289
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in San Leandro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,577 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,218 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,721 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,888 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,934 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,958 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,686 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Leandro metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $70,577 (2019) to $82,958 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,686 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,109 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Leandro 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) | $63,399 – $74,218 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,218 – $85,289 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,289 – $91,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,208 – $109,860 |
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 Leandro
As a robust area for occupational therapy assistant jobs, San Leandro currently employs 23 professionals in this field, hinting at a stable market outlook that aligns with the annual growth rate of 2.81%. Nevertheless, the cost of living in San Leandro, with an index of 113.1, signifies that the effective take-home pay may be less than it appears on paper. Employers like skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and hospital inpatient rehab centers typically offer the highest salaries. Variations in pay largely arise from differing productivity expectations, weekend rates, and types of contracts, including seasonal benefits associated with school districts. To maximize earnings in this market, COTAs should consider pursuing opportunities in higher-paying settings, such as hospitals, while also remaining flexible to take on weekend or PRN shifts. Engaging in continuous professional development and considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways may enhance long-term career prospects and earning potential in a changing healthcare environment impacted by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services.
More salary data for San Leandro, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in San Leandro, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in San Leandro?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in San Leandro?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in San Leandro?
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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 $82,958 for occupational therapy assistantsin the San Leandro 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 San Leandro 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