Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Erie, CO: $75,988 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Erie, CO earns a median $75,988/year (≈ $36.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Erie's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $72,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Erie, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is estimated at $75,988, which slightly exceeds the national median of $74,332. This figure encompasses a salary range of $55,133 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $89,082 at the 90th percentile (P90), reflecting the different settings in which these professionals work. With a minimal number of occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the area, the salary estimates are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) state-level data alongside adjustments based on regional price parities. The landscape for therapy assistants can greatly vary, particularly as the structural divide between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals defines earning potential, especially in light of recent Medicare cuts impacting service-based reimbursements.
About the Erie Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,133 | $26.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,027 | $31.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,988 | $36.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,780 | $38.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,082 | $42.83 |
Median Salary Position
2.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, CO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,949 (2026 est.). At $75,988, the local median is 2.23% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be above the median
How Erie Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Erie median: $75,988/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $76,833 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +2.23% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Erie, CO earn a median of $75,988 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.23% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.10% below the Colorado state average of $76,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,988 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,370 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,881
2025 BLS Actual
$73,911
2026 Current Est.
$75,988
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,881 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,342 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,105 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,503 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,911 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,988 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,123 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,881 (2019) to $73,911 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,123 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,242 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $55,133 – $65,027 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,027 – $75,988 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,988 – $80,780 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,780 – $89,082 |
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 Erie
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Erie, CO, is characterized by a small workforce of just five professionals, which can lead to both opportunities and challenges. The local cost of living index sits at 105, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average, affecting take-home pay and purchasing power. Among various employers in the area, hospital systems typically offer the most competitive pay compared to settings such as schools and outpatient clinics. Factors driving the salary variability include setting dynamics, productivity expectations, and the significant impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Erie, securing positions within hospital inpatient rehabilitation or pursuing opportunities in home health agencies, which often provide a more flexible schedule and higher hourly rates, can be particularly advantageous.
More salary data for Erie, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Erie?
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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 $73,911 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Erie 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 Erie 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