Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Yucaipa, CA: $86,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Yucaipa, CA earns a median $86,141/year (≈ $41.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Yucaipa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,164 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Yucaipa, California, experience a competitive median annual salary of $86,141 in 2026, surpassing the national median by approximately 15.89%. Those in the lowest earners' bracket (10th percentile) can expect around $58,597, while the top performers (90th percentile) may earn up to $109,746. These figures, developed from state-level BLS estimates alongside regional cost analysis, reflect the dynamics of different work environments—skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals—which are significantly influenced by the post-Medicare cut realities. Understanding these nuances is crucial for occupational therapy assistants in Yucaipa as they navigate their career paths in a varying compensation structure based on the practice settings.
About the Yucaipa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,597 | $28.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,984 | $36.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,141 | $41.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,362 | $46.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,746 | $52.76 |
Median Salary Position
15.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yucaipa
In Yucaipa, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,149 (2026 est.). At $86,141, the local median is 15.89% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Yucaipa: You'd be above the median
How Yucaipa Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Yucaipa median: $86,141/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yucaipa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,749 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +15.89% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Yucaipa, CA earn a median of $86,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.89% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.70% below the California state average of $86,749.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yucaipa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yucaipa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,141 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,164 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,283
2025 BLS Actual
$83,787
2026 Current Est.
$86,141
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Yucaipa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,283 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,538 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,458 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,657 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,822 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,787 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,562 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yucaipa metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,283 (2019) to $83,787 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,562 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,279 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yucaipa 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) | $58,597 – $75,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,984 – $86,141 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,141 – $96,362 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,362 – $109,746 |
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 Yucaipa
Analyzing occupational therapy assistant pay in Yucaipa CA reveals a local job market with 14 professionals currently employed in this role, which offers insight into the demand and competition in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, take-home pay is impacted, requiring careful consideration for budgeting and spending. Employers in the hospital and outpatient settings tend to pay more than those in schools or SNFs, especially following the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that constricted funding for many rehabilitation services. To maximize earnings, COTAs should consider opportunities in inpatient rehab facilities and outpatient clinics, which often offer productivity incentives and better pay structures compared to educational roles. Additionally, pursuing weekend or PRN shifts can yield higher hourly rates, allowing practitioners to enhance their overall income in Yucaipa.
More salary data for Yucaipa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Yucaipa, CA in 2026?
Is Yucaipa, CA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Yucaipa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Yucaipa?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Yucaipa?
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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 $83,787 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Yucaipa 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 Yucaipa 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