Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Towson, MD: $84,612 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Towson, MD earns a median $84,612/year (≈ $40.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Towson's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $77,413 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Towson, Maryland, the 2026 projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $84,612, reflecting a robust job market for this occupation in the region. With a salary range extending from $63,426 at the 10th percentile to $106,456 at the 90th percentile, these figures showcase substantial earning potential, especially compared to the national median of $74,332. Local estimates derive from BLS state-level data and account for regional cost-of-living adjustments, which reveal the challenges of practice settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, especially in the wake of recent Medicare cuts. This environment influences where professionals may find the best opportunities and pay, as the job market adapts to economic pressures.
About the Towson Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,426 | $30.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,612 | $40.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,106 | $45.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,456 | $51.18 |
Median Salary Position
13.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Towson
In Towson, MD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,030 (2026 est.). At $84,612, the local median is 13.83% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Towson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Towson Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Towson median: $84,612/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Towson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $81,279 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +13.83% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Towson, MD earn a median of $84,612 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.83% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.10% above the Maryland state average of $81,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Towson has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Towson, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,612 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,413 — a 8.51% 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
$70,017
2025 BLS Actual
$82,299
2026 Current Est.
$84,612
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Towson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,017 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,645 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,267 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,136 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,277 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,607 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,612 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Towson metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $70,017 (2019) to $82,299 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,972 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Towson 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) | $63,426 – $73,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,960 – $84,612 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,612 – $94,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,106 – $106,456 |
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 Towson
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Towson is currently solid, with approximately 11 professionals employed in this field. However, the cost of living index stands at 109.3, indicating that living expenses in the area are slightly above the national average. This elevation in living costs means that take-home purchasing power may be impacted, particularly for those earning on the lower end of the pay scale. Among local employers, outpatient clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings generally offer the highest compensation, contrasting with lower pay often found in skilled nursing facilities, particularly after the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022. Year-round positions at hospitals may provide additional financial incentives compared to seasonal school contracts. For occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their earnings in Towson, exploring roles in high-demand settings and negotiating for weekend or PRN shifts could enhance income potential significantly.
More salary data for Towson, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Towson, MD in 2026?
Is Towson, MD a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Towson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Towson?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Towson?
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 $82,299 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Towson 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 Towson 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