Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $78,588 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $78,588/year (≈ $37.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $76,631 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.5% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected occupational therapy assistant salary in Philadelphia is estimated at $78,588 annually, reflecting an increase from previous years and positioning it above the national median of $74,332. Within the local market, salaries range from $62,611 at the 10th percentile to $83,091 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, paints a clear picture of the current state of compensation for COTAs in the area, particularly when considering the impact of recent Medicare cuts on service delivery settings. The divide between skilled nursing facilities, school districts, and hospitals significantly influences compensation, with those working in hospital inpatient rehabilitation often earning the highest salaries amidst changing realities in funding and service provision.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,611 | $30.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,909 | $32.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,588 | $37.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,948 | $37.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,091 | $39.95 |
Median Salary Position
5.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,480 (2026 est.). At $78,588, the local median is 5.73% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Philadelphia Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $78,588/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,764 | +19.50% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +5.73% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $78,588 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.73% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 19.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $65,764.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,588 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,631 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,860
2025 BLS Actual
$76,440
2026 Current Est.
$78,588
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,588 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,796 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 25.6% from $60,860 (2019) to $76,440 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,936 (32.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $62,611 – $66,909 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,909 – $78,588 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,588 – $78,948 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,948 – $83,091 |
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 Philadelphia
With around 940 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Philadelphia, the local job market demonstrates a stable demand. However, the cost of living index at 102.554 indicates that expenses are slightly above the national average, which could affect take-home purchasing power. Notably, employers in acute care settings such as hospitals typically offer higher salaries compared to skilled nursing facilities, where the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has constrained pay. Factors such as contractual differences—between school-year versus year-round positions—and the ability to leverage weekend or PRN shifts can significantly affect earnings. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Philadelphia PA, professionals should consider roles in higher-paying settings like hospitals and seek to enhance their qualifications, potentially bridging from COTA to MOT as part of their career progression.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Philadelphia?
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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 $76,440 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Philadelphia 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