Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Boulder, CO: $87,245 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Boulder, CO earns a median $87,245/year (≈ $41.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $82,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Boulder is projected to reach a median annual income of $87,245, significantly higher than the national average of $74,332. Within the local market, salaries will range from $70,127 for the lowest ten percent to as much as $92,478 for those at the higher end. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the growing demand for occupational therapy services and suggests a healthy job market in Boulder. A notable factor in potential lifetime earnings is the pathway from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master’s level Occupational Therapist (MOT), which can enhance income potential significantly over time.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,127 | $33.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,431 | $38.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,245 | $41.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,478 | $44.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,478 | $44.47 |
Median Salary Position
17.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,351 (2026 est.). At $87,245, the local median is 17.37% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Boulder: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Boulder Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Boulder median: $87,245/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $76,800 | +13.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +17.37% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Boulder, CO earn a median of $87,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.37% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 13.60% above the Colorado state average of $76,800.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,245 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,931 — a 4.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,196
2025 BLS Actual
$84,860
2026 Current Est.
$87,245
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,196 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,454 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,245 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,696 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $72,196 (2019) to $84,860 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,696 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,500 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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) | $70,127 – $79,431 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,431 – $87,245 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,245 – $92,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,478 – $92,478 |
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 Boulder
The job market in Boulder currently employs around 50 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a supportive demand for these professionals. However, living costs, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 105.202, create a unique financial landscape that impacts take-home pay. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings typically offer more competitive compensation compared to school district contracts or outpatient clinics. Pay disparities can often be traced to various factors, such as productivity expectations, the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services, and the differences in contract durations—like year-round versus school-year roles. To maximize earnings in Boulder, current COTAs and aspiring professionals should hone skills that cater to higher-paying settings and actively seek opportunities for advanced certifications, like bridging to an MOT.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
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 $84,860 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Boulder 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