Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Vacaville, CA: $86,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Vacaville, CA earns a median $86,591/year (≈ $41.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,561 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Vacaville, California, the projected average annual compensation for an occupational therapy assistant is set at $86,591 for 2026, demonstrating a significant rise compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range reflects the diversity of roles available, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $62,539 and experienced professionals earning as much as $113,145. These figures, sourced from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the ongoing effects of reimbursement changes within the healthcare landscape. The shifting dynamics post-Medicare cuts have left occupational therapy assistants to grapple with fluctuating job expectations across skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals—a reality that may influence both the compensation and employment opportunities available in Vacaville.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,539 | $30.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,114 | $35.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,591 | $41.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,197 | $47.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,145 | $54.40 |
Median Salary Position
16.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,606 (2026 est.). At $86,591, the local median is 16.49% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $86,591/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,764 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +16.49% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $86,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.49% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.20% below the California state average of $86,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,591 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,561 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,654
2025 BLS Actual
$84,224
2026 Current Est.
$86,591
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,654 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,911 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,846 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,062 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,292 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,224 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,024 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,654 (2019) to $84,224 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,024 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,370 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $62,539 – $74,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,114 – $86,591 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,591 – $98,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,197 – $113,145 |
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 Vacaville
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently 15 occupational therapy assistants employed in Vacaville, underscoring a specialized workforce in a region where the cost of living is notably higher, with a CoL index of 113.1. This suggests that the purchasing power of salaries here can be less favorable when factoring in local living expenses. Among various employers, those in hospital inpatient rehabilitation generally offer the highest salaries, likely due to the rigorous demands and productivity expectations associated with inpatient care. On the other hand, positions in schools and skilled nursing facilities may reflect lower average salaries, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA-provided services. To enhance earnings, prospective COTAs should consider internal career advancement opportunities, pursue certifications, and explore roles focusing on productivity bonuses, particularly in outpatient settings or during peak demand periods. Strategically navigating these factors can help maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Vacaville, CA.
More salary data for Vacaville, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Vacaville, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Vacaville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Vacaville?
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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 $84,224 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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