Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Woodland, CA: $87,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Woodland, CA earns a median $87,886/year (≈ $42.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Woodland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $77,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Woodland, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $87,886 in 2026, positioning them significantly above the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession in the area varies from $62,551 at the 10th percentile to as high as $109,732 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on data derived from state-level BLS estimates and adjusted for local economic conditions. As more individuals seek to transition from certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs) to master's-level occupational therapists (MOTs), bridging this educational gap could yield substantial increases in lifetime earning potential, reflecting the strong demand for services in Woodland's growing healthcare market.
About the Woodland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,551 | $30.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,393 | $35.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,886 | $42.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,174 | $46.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,732 | $52.75 |
Median Salary Position
18.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Woodland
In Woodland, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,181 (2026 est.). At $87,886, the local median is 18.23% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Woodland: You'd be above the median
How Woodland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Woodland median: $87,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Woodland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,758 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +18.23% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Woodland, CA earn a median of $87,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.23% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.30% above the California state average of $86,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Woodland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Woodland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,886 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,706 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,726
2025 BLS Actual
$85,484
2026 Current Est.
$87,886
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Woodland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,726 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,417 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,987 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,966 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,229 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,643 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,484 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,356 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Woodland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $72,726 (2019) to $85,484 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,630 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Woodland 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) | $62,551 – $74,393 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,393 – $87,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,886 – $97,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,174 – $109,732 |
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 Woodland
With only 15 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Woodland, the local job market exhibits a unique dynamic, especially when considering the area's cost of living index of 113.1. This index suggests that while salaries are robust, higher living expenses can reduce purchasing power. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer higher wages, but various settings such as hospital inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient clinics expand pay opportunities. The disparity in compensation within the sector often stems from differing productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services, which has affected earnings in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient practices. For those navigating their career pathways, seeking employment in higher-paying settings or advocating for competitive contracts can significantly enhance their occupational therapy assistant pay in Woodland, CA.
More salary data for Woodland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Woodland?
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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 $85,484 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Woodland 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 Woodland 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