Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Chesapeake, VA: $67,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Chesapeake, VA earns a median $67,839/year (≈ $32.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Chesapeake's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $65,735 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual salary for occupational therapy assistants in Chesapeake, Virginia, is estimated to be $67,839. This figure falls within a salary range of $44,065 at the 10th percentile to $90,727 at the 90th percentile, which reflects the varied experiences and employment settings of professionals in this field. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data account for the cost of living in Chesapeake, which has a higher index of 103.2 compared to the national average. The occupational therapy assistant salary in Chesapeake indicates a slight decrease compared to the national median of $74,332, suggesting that local market conditions and demand could influence available compensation. With 63 occupational therapy assistants employed in the area, competition for salaries might also play a role in shaping these numbers.
About the Chesapeake Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,065 | $21.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,487 | $28.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,839 | $32.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,962 | $37.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,727 | $43.62 |
Median Salary Position
8.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chesapeake
In Chesapeake, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,662 (2026 est.). At $67,839, the local median is 8.74% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chesapeake: You'd be above the median
How Chesapeake Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Chesapeake median: $67,839/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chesapeake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $78,883 | -14.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -8.74% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chesapeake, VA earn a median of $67,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.74% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 14.00% below the Virginia state average of $78,883.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chesapeake has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chesapeake, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,839 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,735 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,137
2025 BLS Actual
$65,985
2026 Current Est.
$67,839
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Chesapeake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,137 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,443 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,638 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,157 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,562 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,985 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,745 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chesapeake metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,137 (2019) to $65,985 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,745 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,608 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chesapeake 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) | $44,065 – $58,487 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,487 – $67,839 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,839 – $77,962 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,962 – $90,727 |
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 Chesapeake
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Chesapeake provides a nuanced view of earnings. Although the average pay might be lower than the national figure, the cost of living index highlights how take-home salaries can be affected by local expenses. Among employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest compensation, particularly in contrast to school district contracts and outpatient clinics where budgets may be tighter. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include productivity expectations and the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services, which has notably impacted earnings in skilled nursing and outpatient contexts. For occupational therapy assistants looking to maximize their earning potential in the Chesapeake market, seeking positions in high-demand settings or considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge could provide pathways to increased lifetime pay, especially as opportunities evolve in different healthcare environments.
More salary data for Chesapeake, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Chesapeake, VA in 2026?
Is Chesapeake, VA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Chesapeake?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Chesapeake?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Chesapeake?
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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 $65,985 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Chesapeake 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 Chesapeake 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