Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Waterbury, CT: $66,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Waterbury, CT earns a median $66,117/year (≈ $31.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Waterbury's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $66,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% below the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn a median annual salary of $66,117 in 2026, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Salary ranges for this role vary significantly, with the 10th percentile earning $63,681 and the 90th percentile reaching as high as $81,395. This disparity can largely be attributed to varying productivity expectations and the type of facilities where services are provided, with increased compensation often available for higher-demand settings. Waterbury's market is seeing a workforce that values efficiency and impact, positioning COTAs as vital contributors to patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,681 | $30.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,968 | $30.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,117 | $31.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,097 | $37.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,395 | $39.13 |
Median Salary Position
11.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterbury
In Waterbury, CT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,714 (2026 est.). At $66,117, the local median is 11.05% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waterbury: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Waterbury Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Waterbury median: $66,117/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,048 | -11.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.05% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $66,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.05% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 11.90% below the Connecticut state average of $75,048.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterbury has a cost of living 0.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waterbury, CT has a cost-of-living index of 99.778 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,117 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.22% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,750
2025 BLS Actual
$64,310
2026 Current Est.
$66,117
2019–2027 Growth
+1.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,984 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,908 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,975 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterbury metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -3.7% from $66,750 (2019) to $64,310 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,975 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,225 (1.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury 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) | $63,681 – $63,968 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,968 – $66,117 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,117 – $77,097 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,097 – $81,395 |
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 Waterbury
In Waterbury, approximately 110 occupational therapy assistants are employed, and the local cost-of-living index stands at 99.778, indicating a slightly below-average living expense compared to the national average. This factor can influence take-home pay and purchasing power, making it essential for COTAs to navigate their compensation strategies effectively. Positions in skilled nursing facilities and inpatient rehabilitation hospitals typically offer competitive salaries compared to outpatient clinics and school contracts. The notable salary spread can be attributed to several factors, including productivity expectations, weekend premium opportunities, and the influence of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which has had a lasting effect on compensation, particularly in settings reliant on Medicare funding. For COTAs in this region, maximizing earnings may involve seeking employment in higher-paying environments and negotiating contracts that reflect their specialized skill set and the complexities of the services they provide.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Waterbury, CT in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Waterbury?
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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 $64,310 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Waterbury 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, 5-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