Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Castle Rock, CO: $75,651 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Castle Rock, CO earns a median $75,651/year (≈ $36.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Castle Rock's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $72,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in Castle Rock, Colorado, stands at $75,651, which slightly surpasses the national median of $74,332. Salary ranges reflect the local market dynamics, with entry-level positions starting around $56,263 and top earners potentially earning up to $90,401. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, account for the local cost of living adjustments, which are influenced by Castle Rock's above-average cost of living index of 105. As those in the field consider pursuing further education, such as the COTA-to-MOT bridge program, the potential for increased lifetime earnings enhances the value of this investment in their careers.
About the Castle Rock Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,263 | $27.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,026 | $31.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,651 | $36.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,038 | $38.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,401 | $43.46 |
Median Salary Position
1.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Castle Rock
In Castle Rock, CO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,138 (2026 est.). At $75,651, the local median is 1.77% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Castle Rock: You'd be above the median
How Castle Rock Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Castle Rock median: $75,651/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Castle Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $76,803 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.77% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Castle Rock, CO earn a median of $75,651 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.77% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.50% below the Colorado state average of $76,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Castle Rock has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Castle Rock, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,651 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,049 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,602
2025 BLS Actual
$73,583
2026 Current Est.
$75,651
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Castle Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,057 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,825 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,199 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,333 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,583 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,651 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,776 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Castle Rock metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,602 (2019) to $73,583 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,174 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Castle Rock 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) | $56,263 – $66,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,026 – $75,651 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,651 – $81,038 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,038 – $90,401 |
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 Castle Rock
Currently, Castle Rock employs 14 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a competitive job market despite the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services. This cut has notably impacted the pay structure within skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings, leading to a wider disparity between low and high salaries. For instance, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings generally offer higher compensation compared to school district contracts or early intervention programs, largely due to expectations around productivity and the specific demands of the environment. The cost of living, sitting slightly above the national average, necessitates strategic planning for take-home earnings. COTAs looking to maximize their pay in Castle Rock may benefit from pursuing roles that provide weekend premiums, specializing in areas like home health where demand remains robust, and considering year-round contracts instead of school-year positions for more consistent income.
More salary data for Castle Rock, 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 $73,583 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Castle Rock 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 Castle Rock 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