Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bristol, CT: $74,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bristol, CT earns a median $74,483/year (≈ $35.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $69,030 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
An occupational therapy assistant in Bristol, Connecticut, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $74,483 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $74,332. The salary range for this role extends from $50,580 at the 10th percentile to $94,593 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for significant variability in earnings within the field. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, adjusted to account for local economic conditions. As Bristol's healthcare sector continues to evolve, productive expectations and patient visit rates remain essential factors shaping compensation for occupational therapy assistants.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,580 | $24.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,636 | $31.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,483 | $35.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,370 | $40.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,593 | $45.47 |
Median Salary Position
0.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, CT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,013 (2026 est.). At $74,483, the local median is 0.2% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be above the median
How Bristol Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bristol median: $74,483/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,083 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.20% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bristol, CT earn a median of $74,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.20% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% below the Connecticut state average of $75,083.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,483 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,030 — a 7.32% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$61,635
2025 BLS Actual
$72,447
2026 Current Est.
$74,483
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,635 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,068 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,856 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,146 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,068 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,447 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,635 (2019) to $72,447 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,941 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $50,580 – $65,636 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,636 – $74,483 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,483 – $83,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,370 – $94,593 |
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 Bristol
In Bristol, the job market for occupational therapy assistants features a modest workforce of 13 employed in the area, reflecting the competitive nature of this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 107.9, the take-home purchasing power of salaries can be impacted, emphasizing the need for COTAs to consider employment settings carefully. Skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics typically offer higher pay opportunities compared to school districts. The disparity between low and high salaries is influenced by factors such as setting, productivity expectations, and the impact of the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements, which has changed compensation dynamics, particularly in skilled nursing and outpatient environments. Occupational therapy assistants can maximize their pay in Bristol by seeking positions that offer bonuses for weekend or PRN shifts, exploring diverse settings, and considering contracts that extend beyond the academic year to leverage full-time hours.
More salary data for Bristol, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bristol, CT in 2026?
Is Bristol, CT a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bristol?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Bristol?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Bristol?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Connecticut
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 $72,447 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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