Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Salisbury, MD: $79,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Salisbury, MD earns a median $79,019/year (≈ $37.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $72,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Salisbury, MD, receive an appealing median annual salary of $79,019, slightly above the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession reflects a broad spectrum, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $55,320, while experienced practitioners can earn up to $97,442. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differences, highlight the promising paycheck potential in Salisbury. Factors like visits-per-day productivity impacts can significantly shape compensation for occupational therapy assistants, which is influential in an area where the demand for therapy services continues to grow.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,763 | $34.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,019 | $37.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,110 | $41.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,442 | $46.85 |
Median Salary Position
6.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, MD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,122 (2026 est.). At $79,019, the local median is 6.31% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be above the median
How Salisbury Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $79,019/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $81,211 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.31% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salisbury, MD earn a median of $79,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.31% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.70% below the Maryland state average of $81,211.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salisbury, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,019 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,296 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,400
2025 BLS Actual
$76,859
2026 Current Est.
$79,019
2019–2027 Growth
+34.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,859 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 27.2% from $60,400 (2019) to $76,859 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,839 (34.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $55,320 – $70,763 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,763 – $79,019 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,019 – $87,110 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,110 – $97,442 |
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 Salisbury
In Salisbury, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively stable, with only six practitioners currently employed. The cost of living index stands at 109.3, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average, which may affect purchasing power. Notably, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer the highest compensation within this setting, aligning with the complexity and intensity of care provided in those environments. The variance between the lower and higher wages can be attributed to numerous factors, including the level of service required, the productivity demands placed upon assistants, and fluctuations in Medicare reimbursement rates that resulted from the 15% cut in OTA-provided services. To maximize earnings in Salisbury's market, those seeking positions may benefit from leveraging contracts with hospital systems over those in outpatient clinics or school districts, as they often provide better pay structures and stability in volumes of patient visits.
More salary data for Salisbury, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $76,859 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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