Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oregon: $77,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $77,276/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $75,318 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hillsboro ($80,430), Portland ($78,640), Salem ($76,570).
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Oregon are projected to earn an average median salary of $77,276, which is 4.0% higher than the national median of $74,332. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city being Hillsboro at $82,690, while Milwaukie reflects the lowest at $70,092. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas like Hillsboro and Portland. Oregon's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws support the growth of occupational therapy assistants, ensuring that they are well-trained to meet the increasing demands of the healthcare sector. The state’s projected job growth rate of 2.81% indicates a steady demand for these professionals, driven by an aging population and a greater emphasis on rehabilitation services. Cities with high salaries generally have more healthcare facilities and higher living costs, while areas with lower salaries may face fewer resources or a limited patient population. The top five cities for occupational therapy assistants in Oregon, aside from Hillsboro, include Portland at $80,850, Salem at $78,722, Gresham at $78,035, and Albany at $76,960, reflecting the regional variations in job opportunities and compensation.
Oregon Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $51,303 (lowest entry-level) to $102,179 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon occupational therapy assistants earn 3.96% more than the national median (+$2,944/year difference).
Oregon Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Oregon range from $59,673 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,874 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,276. The Oregon median is $2,944 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $37.15/hr. Approximately 510 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 36 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$63,032
2025 BLS Actual
$75,164
2026 Current Est.
$77,276
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oregon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,032 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,406 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,533 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,687 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,164 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 19.2% from $63,032 (2019) to $75,164 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,416 (26.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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 Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukie | $70,092 |
| Klamath Falls | $70,257 |
| The Dalles | $70,682 |
| Newberg | $71,445 |
| Canby | $71,841 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | $82,690 | 102.6 | $80,595 |
| Portland | $80,850 | 105.421 | $76,692 |
| Gresham | $78,035 | 102.6 | $76,058 |
| Salem | $78,722 | 103.649 | $75,951 |
| Albany | $76,960 | 102.6 | $75,010 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,673 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,276 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,874 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | $82,690 |
| 2 | Portland | $80,850 |
| 3 | Salem | $78,722 |
| 4 | Gresham | $78,035 |
| 5 | Albany | $76,960 |
| 6 | Eugene | $76,728 |
| 7 | Corvallis | $75,825 |
| 8 | Beaverton | $75,813 |
| 9 | McMinnville | $75,606 |
| 10 | Oregon City | $75,518 |
| 11 | Woodburn | $75,015 |
| 12 | Bend | $74,774 |
| 13 | Lake Oswego | $74,654 |
| 14 | Springfield | $74,526 |
| 15 | Medford | $74,496 |
| 16 | Forest Grove | $74,459 |
| 17 | Tigard | $74,146 |
| 18 | Redmond | $74,122 |
| 19 | West Linn | $73,908 |
| 20 | Grants Pass | $73,642 |
| 21 | Tualatin | $73,270 |
| 22 | Pendleton | $73,262 |
| 23 | Wilsonville | $73,157 |
| 24 | Happy Valley | $72,528 |
| 25 | Hermiston | $72,328 |
| 26 | Central Point | $72,294 |
| 27 | Ashland | $72,288 |
| 28 | Keizer | $72,269 |
| 29 | Sherwood | $72,265 |
| 30 | Coos Bay | $72,145 |
| 31 | Roseburg | $71,881 |
| 32 | Canby | $71,841 |
| 33 | Newberg | $71,445 |
| 34 | The Dalles | $70,682 |
| 35 | Klamath Falls | $70,257 |
| 36 | Milwaukie | $70,092 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Oregon 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 Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Oregon?
How does Oregon occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Oregon?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon 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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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