Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Scranton, PA: $65,531 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Scranton, PA earns a median $65,531/year (≈ $31.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $70,045 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants is set at $65,531 for 2026. This figure reflects a notable difference from the national median of $74,332. The salary range for COTAs in Scranton spans from $57,851 to $78,896, based on data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys. The occupational therapy assistant pay in Scranton, PA, is influenced by various settings such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals, each with its own fiscal dynamics. Recent Medicare cuts have significantly affected OT reimbursement rates, particularly in SNFs and outpatient clinics, which may impact compensation levels across the board in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,851 | $27.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,113 | $28.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,531 | $31.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,239 | $35.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,896 | $37.93 |
Median Salary Position
11.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,045 (2026 est.). At $65,531, the local median is 11.84% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Scranton median: $65,531/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,728 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -11.84% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Scranton, PA earn a median of $65,531 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.84% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,728.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,531 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,045 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,420
2025 BLS Actual
$63,740
2026 Current Est.
$65,531
2019–2027 Growth
+19.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,643 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,076 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,973 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,531 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,373 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 13.0% from $56,420 (2019) to $63,740 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,373 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,953 (19.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $57,851 – $60,113 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,113 – $65,531 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,531 – $74,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,239 – $78,896 |
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 Scranton
With a workforce of about 70 occupational therapy assistants in Scranton, the local job market shows promise, especially given the relatively low cost of living index at 93.556. This means that COTAs may enjoy a favorable purchasing power in the area compared to the national average. The highest pay is often found in hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities, which tend to offer better compensation than school district roles or SNFs affected by reimbursement challenges. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend or PRN premiums, and differences between school-year and year-round contracts contribute to the salary spread seen in the market. To maximize their earning potential, COTAs should consider focusing on settings with higher reimbursements, pursuing specialty certifications, or seeking positions in facility types with better pay trajectories amidst the ongoing effects of Medicare reimbursement policies.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Scranton, PA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Scranton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Scranton?
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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 $63,740 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Scranton 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, 5-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