Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Erie, PA: $60,113 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Erie, PA earns a median $60,113/year (≈ $28.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $66,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the earning potential for an occupational therapy assistant (COTA) in Erie, Pennsylvania, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $60,113. This figure reflects a broad salary range that extends from $51,898 at the lower end (P10) to $77,354 at the upper end (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, demonstrate a significant contrast with the national median of $74,332, highlighting a competitive edge in regions where demand for rehabilitation services is increasing. Moreover, for those considering advancing their careers through the COTA-to-MOT bridge, this financial upward trajectory can significantly impact lifetime earnings as professionals gain more specialized skills and experience.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,898 | $24.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,563 | $27.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,113 | $28.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,084 | $32.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,354 | $37.20 |
Median Salary Position
19.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,456 (2026 est.). At $60,113, the local median is 19.13% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Erie median: $60,113/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,769 | -8.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.13% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Erie, PA earn a median of $60,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.13% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 8.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,769.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $60,113 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,095 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$51,150
2025 BLS Actual
$58,470
2026 Current Est.
$60,113
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,113 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,802 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 14.3% from $51,150 (2019) to $58,470 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,802 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,652 (20.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $51,898 – $57,563 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,563 – $60,113 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,113 – $67,084 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,084 – $77,354 |
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 Erie
Looking at the local job market, Erie currently employs about 40 occupational therapy assistants, which indicates a relatively stable demand for these roles. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95, individuals in Erie benefit from greater purchasing power, although the economic realities for occupational therapy assistant pay in Erie, PA continue to face pressures from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that took effect in 2022. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings tend to offer the highest compensation, largely due to productivity expectations and the specific requirements of these roles. Conversely, positions in school districts or outpatient clinics may yield lower salaries reflecting varying contract structures, such as school-year versus year-round employment. To maximize income potential, aspiring COTAs in Erie might explore opportunities in settings known for offering weekend or PRN pay premiums, positioning themselves strategically within this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Erie, PA in 2026?
Is Erie, PA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Erie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Erie?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Erie?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $58,470 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Erie 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, 7-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