Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Frederick, MD: $79,483 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Frederick, MD earns a median $79,483/year (≈ $38.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Frederick's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $72,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those entering the field of occupational therapy assistants in Frederick, Maryland, can expect a median annual salary of $79,483, a figure modestly surpassing the national median of $74,332. The local salary range reflects the diverse settings in which these professionals operate, spanning from $58,575 at the lowest to $101,848 at the highest, indicating opportunities for career advancement and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the area's cost of living, showcase a healthy job market for COTAs in Frederick. The projected growth rate of 2.81% suggests a steady demand for occupational therapy services, which is particularly relevant in a community that values health and rehabilitative care.
About the Frederick Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,575 | $28.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,722 | $33.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,483 | $38.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,265 | $42.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,848 | $48.97 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Frederick
In Frederick, MD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,273 (2026 est.). At $79,483, the local median is 6.93% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Frederick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Frederick Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Frederick median: $79,483/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Frederick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $81,271 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.93% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Frederick, MD earn a median of $79,483 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the Maryland state average of $81,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Frederick has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Frederick, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,483 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,720 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,773
2025 BLS Actual
$77,311
2026 Current Est.
$79,483
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Frederick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,773 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,008 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,703 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,483 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Frederick metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,773 (2019) to $77,311 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,944 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frederick 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) | $58,575 – $68,722 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,722 – $79,483 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,483 – $89,265 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,265 – $101,848 |
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 Frederick
In Frederick, there are currently 15 occupational therapy assistants employed across various healthcare settings. The cost-of-living index of 109.3 indicates that housing and daily expenses are somewhat higher than the national average, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of new COTAs. Employers in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer better compensation compared to outpatient clinics or school districts, primarily due to higher productivity expectations and the complexity of patient care in these environments. The disparity in salaries can also be attributed to factors such as weekend or PRN premiums and the impact of the 15% cut to Medicare reimbursements for OTA-provided services. For those considering a career as an occupational therapy assistant in Frederick, strategies to maximize pay might include seeking specialized training and exploring diverse employment opportunities across different healthcare sectors.
More salary data for Frederick, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Frederick, MD in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Frederick?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Frederick?
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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 $77,311 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Frederick 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 Frederick 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