Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Salem, OR: $78,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Salem, OR earns a median $78,722/year (≈ $37.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Salem's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $75,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Salem, Oregon, can expect a median annual salary of $78,722 in 2026, which reflects a competitive edge over the national median of $74,332. This salary ranges from $68,358 at the 10th percentile to $82,289 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Notably, pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) can enhance long-term earnings, significantly benefiting those who transition from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) roles. As the demand for skilled therapy professionals continues to rise in Salem, aspiring COTAs and those already in the field should remain informed about salary trends and opportunities in this growing market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,358 | $32.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,813 | $34.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,722 | $37.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,051 | $38.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,289 | $39.56 |
Median Salary Position
5.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, OR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,931 (2026 est.). At $78,722, the local median is 5.91% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be above the median
How Salem Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Salem median: $78,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $76,281 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +5.91% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salem, OR earn a median of $78,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% above the Oregon state average of $76,281.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 3.65% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.649 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,722 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,951 — a 3.52% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,050
2025 BLS Actual
$76,570
2026 Current Est.
$78,722
2019–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,376 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,045 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,934 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.7% from $65,050 (2019) to $76,570 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,934 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,884 (24.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $68,358 – $71,813 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,813 – $78,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,722 – $79,051 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,051 – $82,289 |
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 Salem
Salem's job market for occupational therapy assistants currently employs about 40 professionals, suggesting a concentrated community that could foster networking and professional development. Despite the median salary seeming attractive, the cost of living index in Salem stands at 103.649, which is above the national average. This index highlights the need for professionals to consider how the local economic conditions impact purchasing power. Employers within skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs typically offer the highest salaries, while school district contracts may present lower pay due to varying productivity expectations. Understanding the nuances of each setting, including the implications of the 15% Medicare cuts that affect service reimbursement rates, can help COTAs strategize for better pay. For those looking to maximize earnings, pursuing roles in higher-paying environments and considering year-round contracts over school-year-specific ones could provide greater financial stability.
More salary data for Salem, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Salem?
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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 $76,570 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Salem 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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