Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $73,581 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $73,581/year (≈ $35.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $72,760 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median occupational therapy assistant salary in Fort Collins is projected to reach $73,581, showing a slight decrease compared to the national median of $74,332. This competitive pay reflects a local salary range from $64,246 at the 10th percentile to $91,326 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. For those considering a career bridge from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), this transition can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and job opportunities within the expanding healthcare field. Fort Collins continues to present a conducive job market for occupational therapy assistants, offering various settings for professional growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,246 | $30.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,382 | $32.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,581 | $35.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,326 | $43.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,326 | $43.91 |
Median Salary Position
1.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,080 (2026 est.). At $73,581, the local median is 1.01% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $73,581/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $76,807 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -1.01% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $73,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.01% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.20% below the Colorado state average of $76,807.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,581 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,760 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,889
2025 BLS Actual
$71,570
2026 Current Est.
$73,581
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,305 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,107 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,581 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,889 (2019) to $71,570 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,760 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $64,246 – $67,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,382 – $73,581 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,581 – $91,326 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,326 – $91,326 |
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 Fort Collins
Job availability for occupational therapy assistants in Fort Collins remains strong, partly due to the high demand for skilled professionals in various healthcare settings, including skilled nursing facilities, outpatient clinics, and home health agencies. However, the cost of living index in Fort Collins is 101.128, slightly above the national average, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of these professionals. Employers in hospital inpatient rehabilitation typically offer the highest salaries, while school district contracts can provide more stable, year-round work schedules. The variation in pay among settings often reflects workload expectations, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, and whether positions require weekend or PRN coverage. To maximize earnings, COTAs should consider seeking roles in environments that value experience and productivity, as those settings often provide greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 $71,570 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Fort Collins 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