Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Stamford, CT: $74,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Stamford, CT earns a median $74,765/year (≈ $35.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Stamford's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $69,291 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Stamford, Connecticut, can expect a median annual salary of $74,765 in 2026, which provides a competitive edge over the national median of $74,332. Local salary estimates project a range from $53,754 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $94,497 at the higher end (90th percentile), allowing individuals at various stages in their careers to benefit from potentially lucrative opportunities. Factors contributing to these figures include regional cost adjustments based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data, which reflect the demands of the local job market. Stamford’s growing demand for occupational therapy services suggests substantial career prospects for assistants, especially for those seeking to bridge into a Master’s program (MOT) for further advancement and increased lifetime earnings.
About the Stamford Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,754 | $25.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,865 | $30.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,765 | $35.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,062 | $39.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,497 | $45.43 |
Median Salary Position
0.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stamford
In Stamford, CT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,743 (2026 est.). At $74,765, the local median is 0.58% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Stamford: You'd be above the median
How Stamford Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Stamford median: $74,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stamford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,066 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.58% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Stamford, CT earn a median of $74,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.40% below the Connecticut state average of $75,066.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stamford has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stamford, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,765 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,291 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,869
2025 BLS Actual
$72,722
2026 Current Est.
$74,765
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Stamford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,869 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,307 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,625 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,401 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,413 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,722 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stamford metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,869 (2019) to $72,722 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,997 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stamford 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) | $53,754 – $63,865 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,865 – $74,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,765 – $83,062 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,062 – $94,497 |
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 Stamford
With 27 occupational therapy assistants employed in Stamford, the local job market shows promise, yet the cost-of-living index stands at 107.9, indicating that housing and other expenses are above the national average. This reality impacts take-home purchasing power for those working in the field. Among the highest-paying employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer more substantial compensation compared to school districts or skilled nursing facilities, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that affects service delivery settings. To maximize pay, occupational therapy assistants in Stamford should seek positions in specialized clinics or consider certifications that enable them to work in higher-paying roles or settings that offer weekend or PRN premiums. Emphasizing professional growth and exploring the COTA-to-MOT pathway can also provide an avenue for significantly elevating earning potential in the long run.
More salary data for Stamford, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Stamford, CT in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Stamford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Stamford?
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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 $72,722 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Stamford 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 Stamford 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