Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $76,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $76,799/year (≈ $36.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $76,260 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Colorado Springs, the 2026 projected median salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $76,799, which surpasses the national median of $74,332 by approximately 3.32%. The salary range in this region extends from $63,516 at the 10th percentile to $107,837 at the 90th percentile, showing a broad spectrum of earning potential. This data, derived from the official BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a local job market that demands productivity from its occupational therapy assistants, often focusing on the number of daily visits to clients. With the anticipated growth rate of 2.81% annually, there is a clear opportunity for COTAs in Colorado Springs to advance their careers and boost their earning capacity through skill enhancement and experience.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,516 | $30.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,799 | $36.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,402 | $41.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,837 | $51.85 |
Median Salary Position
3.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,321 (2026 est.). At $76,799, the local median is 3.32% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colorado Springs Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $76,799/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.32% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $76,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% higher than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,799 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,260 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,230
2025 BLS Actual
$74,700
2026 Current Est.
$76,799
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,850 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,957 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 35.3% from $55,230 (2019) to $74,700 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,727 (42.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $63,516 – $64,410 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,410 – $76,799 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,799 – $86,402 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,402 – $107,837 |
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 Colorado Springs
As of 2026, there are about 140 occupational therapy assistants employed throughout Colorado Springs, highlighting a robust job market for this profession. The cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 100.707, suggesting that while salaries are relatively competitive, careful financial planning is vital for maximizing take-home pay. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, whereas schools and home health agencies often provide lower wages. Various factors contribute to the salary range for COTAs in the area, including differences in workplace setting, productivity expectations, and contract length. Notably, the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services, implemented in 2022, is still affecting compensation in certain sectors. To enhance earning potential in Colorado Springs, occupational therapy assistants should consider seeking opportunities in high-paying settings, pursuing additional certifications, and being open to varied employment contracts that can yield higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, 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 $74,700 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Colorado Springs 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, 7-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