Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Stockton, CA: $86,772 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Stockton, CA earns a median $86,772/year (≈ $41.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $82,570 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source

Occupational therapy assistants in Stockton, CA, are positioned to earn a median annual salary of $86,772 in 2026, reflecting a robust labor market for this role. The projected salary range shows significant potential, with figures spanning from $75,493 at the 10th percentile to $106,635 at the 90th percentile. This data derives from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, and compared to the national median of $74,332, represents a notable increase of 16.74% for COTAs in Stockton. Such a strong salary baseline underlines the advantages of pursuing further education, such as the COTA-to-MOT bridge programs, which can significantly enhance lifetime earnings over a professional career.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,493 | $36.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,459 | $38.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,772 | $41.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,411 | $50.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,635 | $51.27 |
Median Salary Position
16.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,142 (2026 est.). At $86,772, the local median is 16.74% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Stockton median: $86,772/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | +16.74% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Stockton, CA earn a median of $86,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.74% higher than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,772 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,570 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,410
2025 BLS Actual
$84,400
2026 Current Est.
$86,772
2019–2027 Growth
+16.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,474 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,061 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,003 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,115 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,772 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,210 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 10.5% from $76,410 (2019) to $84,400 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,210 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,800 (16.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $75,493 – $80,459 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,459 – $86,772 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,772 – $105,411 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,411 – $106,635 |
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 Stockton
In Stockton, where approximately 60 occupational therapy assistants work, the job market remains competitive despite a cost-of-living index of 105.089, which is above the national average. This cost-of-living reality emphasizes the importance of understanding how much do occupational therapy assistants make in Stockton to ensure adequate purchasing power. Employers that typically offer higher pay include skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehab hospitals, whereas positions in schools and early intervention programs may yield lower salaries due to differing funding and reimbursement structures. Factors driving the salary spectrum here include productivity expectations, weekend or PRN premiums, contractual terms, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut enacted in 2022, especially felt in outpatient and SNF environments. For those aiming to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Stockton CA, pursuing roles in higher-paying settings and considering additional certifications or further education will be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Stockton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Stockton, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Stockton?
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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 $84,400 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Stockton 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, 4-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