Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Grants Pass, OR: $73,642 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Grants Pass, OR earns a median $73,642/year (≈ $35.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Grants Pass's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $71,776 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for an occupational therapy assistant in Grants Pass, Oregon, stands at $73,642, closely aligning with the national median of $74,332. This figure reflects a typical salary range between $56,754 at the lowest 10th percentile and $89,783 at the 90th percentile. These estimates consider local BLS data and regional adjustments in cost of living, indicating that while compensation is competitive, the slight disparity suggests there are unique market dynamics at play in Grants Pass. Occupation-specific factors, along with local demand for therapy services, will influence how effectively occupational therapy assistants can maximize their earnings in this area.
About the Grants Pass Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,754 | $27.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,316 | $31.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,642 | $35.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,556 | $38.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,783 | $43.17 |
Median Salary Position
0.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grants Pass
In Grants Pass, OR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,029 (2026 est.). At $73,642, the local median is 0.93% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Grants Pass: You'd be above the median
How Grants Pass Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Grants Pass median: $73,642/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grants Pass Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $76,234 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.93% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Grants Pass, OR earn a median of $73,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.93% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.40% below the Oregon state average of $76,234.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grants Pass has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grants Pass, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,642 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,776 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,939
2025 BLS Actual
$71,629
2026 Current Est.
$73,642
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,939 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,356 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,157 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,388 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,332 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,629 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,642 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,711 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grants Pass metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,939 (2019) to $71,629 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,711 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,772 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grants Pass 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) | $56,754 – $65,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,316 – $73,642 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,642 – $80,556 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,556 – $89,783 |
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 Grants Pass
Currently, Grants Pass employs seven occupational therapy assistants, which lends itself to a competitive job market, albeit a limited one. The area's cost-of-living index of 102.6 implies that professionals will need to account for slightly above-average living expenses, directly impacting their disposable income and purchasing power. Employers in Grants Pass, ranging from school districts to skilled nursing facilities, vary in compensatory practices with hospitals typically offering higher wages due to increased productivity expectations and stringent care standards. It's essential for aspiring COTAs to navigate these differing pay scales intelligently; those in outpatient clinics might see varied income streams, particularly influenced by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services initiated in 2022. For maximizing pay in this environment, it would be strategic to seek roles within inpatient rehabilitation settings or pursue specialized skills that can command higher hourly rates, while considering opportunities that allow for year-round contracts compared to school-year ones.
More salary data for Grants Pass, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Grants Pass?
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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 $71,629 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Grants Pass 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 Grants Pass 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