Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bend, OR: $74,774 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bend, OR earns a median $74,774/year (≈ $35.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bend's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $72,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Bend, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $74,774 in 2026, reflecting a slight increase compared to the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role spans from $55,362 at the 10th percentile to $95,944 at the 90th percentile, showcasing opportunities for earnings to vary significantly based on various factors. These projections are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, indicating that Bend's market is competitive for occupational therapy assistants, and there is a growing demand for skilled professionals in the area. This demand is illustrated by the productivity expectations often placed on COTAs, where visits-per-day can directly influence compensation.
About the Bend Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,362 | $26.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,844 | $31.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,774 | $35.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,797 | $38.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,944 | $46.13 |
Median Salary Position
0.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,582 (2026 est.). At $74,774, the local median is 0.59% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bend Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bend median: $74,774/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $76,300 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.59% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bend, OR earn a median of $74,774 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.59% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Oregon state average of $76,300.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,774 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,879 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,876
2025 BLS Actual
$72,730
2026 Current Est.
$74,774
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,876 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,314 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,097 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,632 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,409 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,774 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,875 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,876 (2019) to $72,730 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,875 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,999 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $55,362 – $64,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,844 – $74,774 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,774 – $79,797 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,797 – $95,944 |
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 Bend
A total of 15 occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in Bend, indicating a modest but stable job market in the healthcare sector. The local cost of living index, set at 102.6, indicates expenses slightly above the national average, which can impact purchasing power for residents in Bend. Employers situated in skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers tend to offer higher compensation compared to outpatient clinics and school districts, largely due to differing productivity expectations and funding mechanisms. The ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services has also contributed to wage disparities. For those looking to maximize their pay in Bend, seeking positions in higher-paying settings, considering weekend or PRN shifts that may offer premium pay, or negotiating contracts during the school year are practical strategies to enhance salary potential. Understanding the local job landscape is crucial for COTAs, especially for those contemplating further education through COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bend, OR in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bend?
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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 $72,730 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bend 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 Bend 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