Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lakewood, CO: $76,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lakewood, CO earns a median $76,857/year (≈ $36.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $73,197 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is estimated at $76,857, which reflects a competitive edge compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession in the area is broad, spanning from a lower threshold of $55,846 at the 10th percentile to $98,006 at the 90th percentile. These values represent local estimates informed by 2025 BLS data, accounting for variations in regional price levels. For occupational therapy assistants considering career advancement through the COTA-to-MOT bridge, this salary trajectory can yield significant lifetime earnings, providing a solid incentive for continued education and professional development in Lakewood’s growing healthcare market.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,846 | $26.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,038 | $31.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,857 | $36.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,720 | $41.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,006 | $47.12 |
Median Salary Position
3.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,160 (2026 est.). At $76,857, the local median is 3.4% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be above the median
How Lakewood Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $76,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $76,780 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.40% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $76,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.40% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $76,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,857 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,197 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,599
2025 BLS Actual
$74,756
2026 Current Est.
$76,857
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,078 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,433 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,286 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,756 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,016 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,599 (2019) to $74,756 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,016 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,417 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $55,846 – $66,038 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,038 – $76,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,857 – $85,720 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,720 – $98,006 |
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 Lakewood
The occupational therapy assistant job market in Lakewood is robust, comprising 27 professionals currently employed in various settings. With a cost-of-living index of 105, take-home wages may stretch differently than in areas with lower living costs, making it important for professionals to understand their purchasing power. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer the highest pay, especially when factoring in the additional responsibilities and productivity expectations placed on occupational therapy assistants. The disparity in earnings across different settings can largely be attributed to state regulations, Medicare reimbursement cuts, and the nature of contracts in schools versus year-round programs. For those working in school districts, pay strategies like pursuing longer contracts or supplementing hours during the summer can help maximize earnings amidst the recent 15% Medicare adjustment.
More salary data for Lakewood, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Lakewood, CO in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lakewood?
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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 $74,756 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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