Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Washington, DC: $90,730 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Washington, DC earns a median $90,730/year (≈ $43.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Washington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.9), that paycheck buys what $83,327 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the District of Columbia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Washington, DC, individuals in the role of occupational therapy assistant can expect a median annual salary of $90,730, which exceeds the national median by a notable 22.06%. Salary ranges for these positions span from $68,256 at the 10th percentile to $100,713 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the complexities of the job market, particularly the structural divides between settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. The ramifications of recent Medicare cuts have created notable pressures, especially in skilled nursing and outpatient environments, engendering discussions about compensation strategy and job security within the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,256 | $32.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,267 | $38.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,730 | $43.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,412 | $46.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,713 | $48.42 |
Median Salary Position
22.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
In Washington, DC, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,457 (2026 est.). At $90,730, the local median is 22.06% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Washington: You'd be above the median
How Washington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Washington median: $90,730/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Washington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia Average | $86,989 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +22.06% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Washington, DC earn a median of $90,730 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.06% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% above the District of Columbia state average of $86,989.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Washington has a cost of living 8.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Washington, DC has a cost-of-living index of 108.884 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $90,730 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,327 — a 8.16% 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
$68,540
2025 BLS Actual
$88,250
2026 Current Est.
$90,730
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,730 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 28.8% from $68,540 (2019) to $88,250 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,739 (36.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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) | $68,256 – $79,267 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,267 – $90,730 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,730 – $97,412 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,412 – $100,713 |
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 Washington
With approximately 420 occupational therapy assistants employed in the Washington area, the local job market remains robust despite the challenges. The cost of living index stands at 108.884, which highlights the increased expenses professionals may face compared to the national average. Within the region, the highest-paying employers tend to be hospital inpatient rehab facilities, given their operational budgets and patient care demands. Factors such as the ongoing impacts from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut, which began affecting services in 2022, have contributed to discrepancies in pay across different employment settings. For those considering their options in Washington, securing roles in environments that demonstrate continuous growth, possibly around outpatient clinics and home health agencies, could yield competitive salaries. Moreover, negotiating for weekend or PRN shifts may provide opportunities for enhanced earnings, ensuring occupational therapy assistants can optimize their financial outcomes in this vibrant job market.
More salary data for Washington, DC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Washington, DC in 2026?
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Washington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Washington?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Washington?
Related Pages
Career Resources
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 $88,250 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Washington 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, 7-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