Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Santa Cruz, CA: $86,780 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Santa Cruz, CA earns a median $86,780/year (≈ $41.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Santa Cruz's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,729 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is $86,780, which reflects a significant premium compared to the national median of $74,332. Local salaries range from $64,473 at the lower end (P10) to $111,850 for the top earners (P90), showcasing a robust compensation framework that’s advantageous for those in the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates, considers regional economic factors and costs of living adjustments, vital for understanding the financial landscape for occupational therapy assistants. As the demand for healthcare services continues to grow, particularly in rehab settings, those looking to bridge from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) can expect an enhanced earning potential throughout their career.
About the Santa Cruz Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,473 | $31.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,422 | $36.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,780 | $41.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,643 | $44.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,850 | $53.77 |
Median Salary Position
16.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,377 (2026 est.). At $86,780, the local median is 16.75% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Cruz: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Cruz Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Santa Cruz median: $86,780/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Cruz Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | +16.75% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $86,780 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.75% higher than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Cruz has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Cruz, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,780 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,729 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,811
2025 BLS Actual
$84,408
2026 Current Est.
$86,780
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,811 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,068 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,232 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,489 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,780 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,218 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Cruz metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,811 (2019) to $84,408 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,218 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,407 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Cruz 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) | $64,473 – $75,422 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,422 – $86,780 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,780 – $92,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,643 – $111,850 |
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 Santa Cruz
The local job market in Santa Cruz shows a targeted employment of 12 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a specialized but competitive environment. With a cost-of-living index at 113.1, professionals must navigate expenses that are higher than the national average, which can impact real purchasing power. Among the potential employers, skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics typically offer the most favorable pay. The variations in occupational therapy assistant pay in Santa Cruz CA can be attributed to setting differences, with hospitals often providing higher wages compared to school district contracts. The productivity expectations and fluctuations due to conditions like the 15% Medicare cut in reimbursement for OTA-provided services since 2022 further shape compensation dynamics. To maximize earnings in Santa Cruz, focusing on positions in higher-paying facilities and seeking opportunities in weekend or holiday work can prove advantageous for occupational therapy assistants.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $84,408 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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