Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Tustin, CA: $86,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Tustin, CA earns a median $86,684/year (≈ $41.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, the projected median annual compensation for occupational therapy assistants stands at $86,684 for 2026, distinctly higher than the national median of $74,332. The salary range is quite varied, with entry-level positions earning approximately $59,487 while the higher echelons can command $106,026. These figures reflect local estimates generated from 2025 BLS data, accounting for California's cost-of-living adjustments. The variation in salaries across different care settings—such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and schools—suggests a job market influenced by the post-Medicare cut realities, particularly since many of Tustin's pay structures have seen shifts due to the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut initiated in 2022.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,487 | $28.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,684 | $41.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,322 | $45.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,026 | $50.97 |
Median Salary Position
16.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,539 (2026 est.). At $86,684, the local median is 16.62% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be above the median
How Tustin Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Tustin median: $86,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,771 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +16.62% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tustin, CA earn a median of $86,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.62% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% below the California state average of $86,771.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,684 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,644 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,732
2025 BLS Actual
$84,315
2026 Current Est.
$86,684
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,927 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,146 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,315 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,732 (2019) to $84,315 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,388 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $59,487 – $71,920 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,920 – $86,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,684 – $94,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,322 – $106,026 |
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 Tustin
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Tustin consists of around 18 professionals employed, highlighting a competitive yet constrained local environment. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power from salaries can be considerably impacted, pushing take-home pay lower than the raw numbers suggest. Employers who offer the most favorable compensation packages typically include hospitals and outpatient clinics, rather than skilled nursing facilities, which have borne the brunt of Medicare cuts. The divergence between lower and higher pay can often be attributed to the work settings, with hospitals generally offering better pay compared to school districts, which tend to have more structured, year-round contracts. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Tustin, taking opportunities in high-demand facilities, considering positions during weekends or PRN work, and pursuing advanced certifications through a COTA-to-MOT pathway can all be effective strategies.
More salary data for Tustin, 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 $84,315 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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