Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Baltimore, MD: $84,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Baltimore, MD earns a median $84,942/year (≈ $40.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $81,294 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, MD, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is $84,942, which is notably higher than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals spans from $67,443 at the 10th percentile to $91,419 at the 90th percentile, indicating ample opportunities for advancement based on experience and setting. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reflecting a strong job market for occupational therapy assistants in the area. With an annual growth rate of 2.81%, the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise, influenced by community healthcare needs and various service settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,443 | $32.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,758 | $36.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,942 | $40.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,042 | $41.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,419 | $43.95 |
Median Salary Position
14.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,976 (2026 est.). At $84,942, the local median is 14.27% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be above the median
How Baltimore Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $84,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $81,206 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +14.27% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $84,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% above the Maryland state average of $81,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,942 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,294 — a 4.29% 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
$61,430
2025 BLS Actual
$82,620
2026 Current Est.
$84,942
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,328 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 34.5% from $61,430 (2019) to $82,620 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,328 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,898 (42.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $67,443 – $76,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,758 – $84,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,942 – $86,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,042 – $91,419 |
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 Baltimore
Analyzing the local job market, approximately 310 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in Baltimore, highlighting a solid demand for COTAs. The cost-of-living index in Baltimore stands at 104.487, slightly above the national average, which influences the actual take-home pay that occupational therapy assistants can expect. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs typically offer the most competitive pay, while school district contracts may lag behind due to budget constraints. The pay scale reflects various factors, including productivity expectations, shifts in reimbursement rates following the 15% Medicare cut on OTA-provided services, and contracts that may not function uniformly across settings. Maximizing compensation may involve seeking opportunities in high-paying environments like hospitals or negotiating for weekend and PRN shifts, alongside considering pathways for advanced certifications, such as transitioning from COTA to a Master’s in Occupational Therapy (MOT).
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Baltimore, MD in 2026?
Is Baltimore, MD a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Baltimore?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Baltimore?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Baltimore?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maryland
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 $82,620 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Baltimore 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