Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in State College, PA: $62,705 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in State College, PA earns a median $62,705/year (≈ $30.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $64,379 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In State College, Pennsylvania, occupational therapy assistants are expected to earn a median annual salary of $62,705 in 2026. This figure reflects a full salary range from $47,110 at the lower end (P10) to $77,315 at the upper end (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variations, indicating a wage structure that may be influenced by both local demand and the cost of living. The competitive pay structure highlights the varied productivity expectations across different employment settings, which can shape an OTA’s earning potential.
About the State College Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,657 | $26.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,705 | $30.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,977 | $33.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,315 | $37.17 |
Median Salary Position
15.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,205 (2026 est.). At $62,705, the local median is 15.64% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be above the median
How State College Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
State College median: $62,705/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,728 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -15.64% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in State College, PA earn a median of $62,705 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.64% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,728.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College 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.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $62,705 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,379 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,889
2025 BLS Actual
$60,991
2026 Current Est.
$62,705
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,095 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,074 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,528 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,991 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,705 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $51,889 (2019) to $60,991 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,578 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $47,110 – $54,657 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,657 – $62,705 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,705 – $68,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,977 – $77,315 |
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 State College
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in State College is relatively small, with only nine professionals currently employed in the field. Given the area's cost of living index of 97.4, OTAs may find their purchasing power somewhat limited compared to higher-cost regions. Employers in various settings, such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab, typically offer higher wages compared to school districts and outpatient clinics. Factors influencing the pay disparity include the nature of the work environment, productivity standards, and the ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare cut on reimbursement rates. To maximize earnings, aspiring COTAs should consider focusing on positions in inpatient rehabilitation or skilled nursing, where demand is more robust, while also exploring opportunities that provide year-round contracts versus those tied to the academic calendar.
More salary data for State College, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in State College, PA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in State College?
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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 $60,991 for occupational therapy assistantsin the State College 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 State College 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