Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $63,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $63,639/year (≈ $30.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $67,221 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salaries in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reflect the city's employment dynamics and expectations. In 2026, the median annual compensation is projected at $63,639, which positions the local occupational therapy assistant pay in Pittsburgh PA approximately 14.39% below the national median of $74,332. Salary variations are notable, with the range extending from $52,125 at the 10th percentile to $76,501 at the 90th percentile, indicating that experience and workplace settings significantly influence earnings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, highlight the contributions of local occupational therapy assistants toward patient outcomes and the productivity expectations that define their compensation landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,125 | $25.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,639 | $30.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,501 | $36.79 |
Median Salary Position
14.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,376 (2026 est.). At $63,639, the local median is 14.39% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $63,639/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,743 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.39% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $63,639 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.39% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,743.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,639 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,221 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,750
2025 BLS Actual
$61,900
2026 Current Est.
$63,639
2019–2027 Growth
+21.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 15.2% from $53,750 (2019) to $61,900 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,678 (21.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $52,125 – $60,010 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,010 – $63,639 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,639 – $73,920 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,920 – $76,501 |
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 Pittsburgh
With around 370 occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, Pittsburgh presents a moderately competitive job market. The current cost-of-living index at 94.671 suggests that despite slightly lower salaries than the national average, residents may find that their incomes stretch further than in many cities. Employers in skilled nursing facilities often offer the highest pay, followed closely by hospital inpatient rehab settings. Factors influencing the pay differential include expectations for productivity, the weekend and PRN premium, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA services. To maximize occupational therapy assistant salary in Pittsburgh, professionals are encouraged to seek employment in higher-paying facilities and consider transitioning to year-round contracts, which can provide more stable income compared to school-year positions. Exploring COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways may also enhance career advancement opportunities, contributing to improved financial outcomes.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Pittsburgh?
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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 $61,900 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Pittsburgh 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