Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Altoona, PA: $62,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Altoona, PA earns a median $62,005/year (≈ $29.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $69,274 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Altoona, Pennsylvania, the projected median salary for an occupational therapy assistant in 2026 is $62,005, reflecting a specific set of economic dynamics within the healthcare sector. This figure is significantly lower than the national average of $74,332, indicating a regional pay disparity that local COTAs must navigate. Salaries in Altoona range from $53,009 at the 10th percentile to $73,602 at the 90th percentile, based on official BLS OEWS surveys. The varying pay levels are often influenced by the type of employment setting — skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, schools, and outpatient clinics each have different compensation structures, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has affected occupational therapy assistant pay across many outpatient and skilled nursing environments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,009 | $25.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,322 | $26.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,005 | $29.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,027 | $33.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,602 | $35.39 |
Median Salary Position
16.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,593 (2026 est.). At $62,005, the local median is 16.58% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Altoona median: $62,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,753 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -16.58% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Altoona, PA earn a median of $62,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.58% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 5.70% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,753.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,005 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,274 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,880
2025 BLS Actual
$60,310
2026 Current Est.
$62,005
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,493 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 16.2% from $51,880 (2019) to $60,310 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,867 (22.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $53,009 – $55,322 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,322 – $62,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,005 – $69,027 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,027 – $73,602 |
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 Altoona
Looking closer at the local job market, there are approximately 40 occupational therapy assistants employed in Altoona, reflecting a manageable number relative to the local demand for services. The cost of living index stands at 89.507, which is below the national average, granting residents a bit more purchasing power despite the lower salaries. In terms of pay, skilled nursing facilities often provide competitive wages, particularly compared to school contracts or hospital settings, where specific funding constraints apply. Factors such as weekend work premiums and potential productivity bonuses for higher caseloads can lead to significant pay variation. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Altoona, pursuing employment in hiring facilities, considering school-year versus year-round contracts, or being open to PRN (as-needed) shifts can be effective strategies in a changing economic landscape.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Altoona, PA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Altoona?
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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 $60,310 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Altoona 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, 6-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