Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Wilmington, DE: $79,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Wilmington, DE earns a median $79,931/year (≈ $38.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $78,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Wilmington, Delaware, is set at $79,931. This figure reflects a competitive local job market, particularly when compared to the national median salary of $74,332, positioning it at 7.53% higher. The salary range for occupational therapy assistants in Wilmington spans from $56,203 at the 10th percentile to $95,924 at the 90th percentile. Given the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, these figures also account for regional economic conditions, indicating a favorable environment for occupational therapy assistants. With an anticipated annual growth rate of 2.81%, Wilmington appears to be cultivating demand for this vital profession, suggesting promising job opportunities ahead.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,203 | $27.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,084 | $32.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,931 | $38.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,115 | $41.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,924 | $46.12 |
Median Salary Position
7.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,721 (2026 est.). At $79,931, the local median is 7.53% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be above the median
How Wilmington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $79,931/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $75,620 | +5.70% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.53% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $79,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.53% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.70% above the Delaware state average of $75,620.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,931 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,595 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,143
2025 BLS Actual
$77,746
2026 Current Est.
$79,931
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,143 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,681 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,682 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,746 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,177 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $66,143 (2019) to $77,746 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,034 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $56,203 – $67,084 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,084 – $79,931 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,931 – $86,115 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,115 – $95,924 |
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 Wilmington
The occupational therapy assistant job market in Wilmington is relatively small, with approximately 10 professionals currently employed in the area. This localized demand is influenced by a cost of living index of 101.7, meaning that while salaries are slightly above the national average, the purchasing power of these salaries should be carefully considered amid rising living costs. Among differing employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer higher pay compared to outpatient clinics or school districts. Variability in compensation is driven by factors such as productivity expectations, with high-pressure settings yielding better remuneration, but also influenced by recent adjustments like the 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursements. To maximize earning potential, aspiring occupational therapy assistants in Wilmington may benefit from seeking positions in settings that offer better pay structures and considering avenues like COTA to MOT bridge pathways for further career advancement.
More salary data for Wilmington, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Wilmington?
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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 $77,746 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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