Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Alexandria, VA: $89,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Alexandria, VA earns a median $89,964/year (≈ $43.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Alexandria's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $87,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Alexandria, Virginia, are seeing a robust 2026 median salary projection of $89,964, significantly higher than the national median of $74,332. This compensation comes as the field navigates the structural divide between workplaces such as skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals, especially following recent Medicare cuts that have impacted reimbursement rates. The local salary range for occupational therapy assistants sits between $65,382 at the 10th percentile and $114,617 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying job settings and responsibilities across the region. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors support these figures, highlighting Alexandria's unique job market dynamics.
About the Alexandria Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,382 | $31.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,377 | $37.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,964 | $43.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,488 | $48.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,617 | $55.11 |
Median Salary Position
21.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alexandria
In Alexandria, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,235 (2026 est.). At $89,964, the local median is 21.03% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Alexandria Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Alexandria median: $89,964/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alexandria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $78,916 | +14.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +21.03% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Alexandria, VA earn a median of $89,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.03% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 14.00% above the Virginia state average of $78,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alexandria has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alexandria, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $89,964 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $87,174 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,446
2025 BLS Actual
$87,505
2026 Current Est.
$89,964
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Alexandria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,446 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,177 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,712 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,762 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,102 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,505 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alexandria metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $74,446 (2019) to $87,505 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,046 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alexandria 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) | $65,382 – $77,377 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,377 – $89,964 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,964 – $100,488 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,488 – $114,617 |
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 Alexandria
In Alexandria, there are currently 26 occupational therapy assistants employed within the area, contributing to the overall demand for skilled professionals. With a cost-of-living index reflecting a value of 103.2, many COTAs find their take-home purchasing power somewhat constrained, especially in a high-cost region. Among local employers, hospital-based positions typically offer the most competitive salaries, followed by outpatient clinics and school district contracts, while SNFs may lag due to post-cut reimbursement challenges. Factors such as the timing of contracts, productivity expectations, and weekend shift premiums create a disparity in pay levels. To maximize earnings, COTAs in Alexandria should consider opportunities in hospital settings, pursuing year-round contracts to offset the financial impact of the recent Medicare Part B cuts, while also exploring pathways to further credentialing, such as COTA-to-MOT programs, which can enhance long-term career prospects.
More salary data for Alexandria, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $87,505 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Alexandria 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 Alexandria 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