Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Maryland: $81,622 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $81,622/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,677 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($84,110), Baltimore ($82,620), Towson ($82,299).
The projected average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in Maryland in 2026 is $81,622, exceeding the national median of $74,332 by 9.8%. This reflects Maryland's strong demand for skilled health care professionals, supported by a growth rate of 2.81% annually according to BLS data. The highest paying city in the state is Columbia, with an average salary of $86,473, while Hagerstown offers the lowest at $71,216, resulting in a salary gap of $15,257. Factors contributing to this disparity include cost of living differences, local demand for health services, and concentration of healthcare facilities. In terms of state-specific factors, Maryland's licensing requirements for occupational therapy assistants are stringent, requiring applicants to complete an accredited program and pass a national exam. The scope of practice laws in Maryland allow assistants to engage in various therapeutic activities under the supervision of licensed occupational therapists, expanding their roles and boosting demand. The total employment for occupational therapy assistants in the state stands at 669, with the top five projected cities for employment in 2026 being Columbia, Baltimore ($84,942), Towson ($84,612), Aspen Hill ($82,372), and Gaithersburg ($81,838). These elements indicate a positive job market outlook for the profession in Maryland.
Maryland Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $51,199 (lowest entry-level) to $109,239 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland occupational therapy assistants earn 9.81% more than the national median (+$7,290/year difference).
Maryland Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Maryland range from $61,443 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $93,767 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $81,622. The Maryland median is $7,290 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $39.24/hr. Approximately 669 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,714
2025 BLS Actual
$79,391
2026 Current Est.
$81,622
2019–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,714 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,651 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,699 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,331 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,562 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,622 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,915 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 28.6% from $61,714 (2019) to $79,391 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,201 (35.97%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $71,216 |
| Cumberland | $75,200 |
| Greenbelt | $76,922 |
| Laurel | $77,177 |
| Catonsville | $77,568 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $84,942 | 104.487 | $81,294 |
| Columbia | $86,473 | 109.3 | $79,115 |
| Towson | $84,612 | 109.3 | $77,413 |
| Hagerstown | $71,216 | 94.171 | $75,624 |
| Aspen Hill | $82,372 | 109.3 | $75,363 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $61,443 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $81,622 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $93,767 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $86,473 |
| 2 | Baltimore | $84,942 |
| 3 | Towson | $84,612 |
| 4 | Aspen Hill | $82,372 |
| 5 | Gaithersburg | $81,838 |
| 6 | Germantown | $81,780 |
| 7 | Ellicott City | $81,593 |
| 8 | Waldorf | $81,510 |
| 9 | Wheaton | $81,233 |
| 10 | Bowie | $80,847 |
| 11 | Glen Burnie | $80,596 |
| 12 | Frederick | $79,483 |
| 13 | Annapolis | $79,466 |
| 14 | Severn | $79,464 |
| 15 | College Park | $79,309 |
| 16 | Rockville | $79,206 |
| 17 | Silver Spring | $79,168 |
| 18 | Salisbury | $79,019 |
| 19 | Potomac | $78,792 |
| 20 | Bethesda | $78,473 |
| 21 | Dundalk | $78,473 |
| 22 | Odenton | $78,206 |
| 23 | Catonsville | $77,568 |
| 24 | Laurel | $77,177 |
| 25 | Greenbelt | $76,922 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $75,200 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $71,216 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Maryland?
How does Maryland occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Maryland?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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