Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Chambersburg, PA: $62,878 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Chambersburg, PA earns a median $62,878/year (≈ $30.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Chambersburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $64,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $62,878 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role in the city falls between $46,778 at the 10th percentile and $73,257 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, indicate the potential for variation in compensation based on factors like experience, setting, and demand. In a market where productivity expectations often dictate pay, understanding the local job dynamics can help aspiring occupational therapy assistants gauge their earning potential more accurately.
About the Chambersburg Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,778 | $22.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,442 | $26.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,878 | $30.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,930 | $32.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,257 | $35.22 |
Median Salary Position
15.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chambersburg
In Chambersburg, PA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,479 (2026 est.). At $62,878, the local median is 15.41% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chambersburg: You'd be above the median
How Chambersburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Chambersburg median: $62,878/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chambersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,772 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.41% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chambersburg, PA earn a median of $62,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.41% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chambersburg has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chambersburg, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,878 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,556 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,000
2025 BLS Actual
$61,159
2026 Current Est.
$62,878
2019–2027 Growth
+4.3%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chambersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,241 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,218 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,684 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,159 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,878 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chambersburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew -1.4% from $62,000 (2019) to $61,159 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,644 (4.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chambersburg 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) | $46,778 – $54,442 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,442 – $62,878 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,878 – $66,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,930 – $73,257 |
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 Chambersburg
Looking at the job market in Chambersburg, only six occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in the area, a factor that suggests a niche market with limited competition. With a cost-of-living index of 97.4, salaries may feel stretched, influencing the effective purchasing power for professionals in this field. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs tend to offer better compensation, overshadowing opportunities in school districts and outpatient clinics due to the latter's variability in contracts. Factors such as weekend premiums, performance expectations, and the impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut further widen the salary spread. To optimize earnings, COTAs should consider specializing in high-paying environments, exploring PRN positions, and maximally engaging in contractual opportunities, particularly during school year versus year-round employment periods.
More salary data for Chambersburg, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Chambersburg, PA in 2026?
Is Chambersburg, PA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Chambersburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Chambersburg?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Chambersburg?
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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 $61,159 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Chambersburg 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 Chambersburg 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