Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Herndon, VA: $73,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Herndon, VA earns a median $73,923/year (≈ $35.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Herndon's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $71,631 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Herndon, Virginia, can expect a median annual salary of $73,923 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $58,679 at the lower end to $83,247 at the top tier, reflecting the diverse employment settings and productivity expectations that characterize this field. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. Given the increasing demand for rehabilitation services, Herndon's job market presents ample opportunities for COTAs, especially in settings where patient throughput is a key performance measure.
About the Herndon Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,679 | $28.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,685 | $32.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,923 | $35.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,907 | $36.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,247 | $40.02 |
Median Salary Position
0.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Herndon
In Herndon, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,568 (2026 est.). At $73,923, the local median is 0.55% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Herndon: You'd be above the median
How Herndon Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Herndon median: $73,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Herndon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $78,894 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -0.55% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Herndon, VA earn a median of $73,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.55% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.30% below the Virginia state average of $78,894.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Herndon has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Herndon, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,923 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,631 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,172
2025 BLS Actual
$71,903
2026 Current Est.
$73,923
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Herndon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,172 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,594 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,897 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,642 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,903 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Herndon metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,172 (2019) to $71,903 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,829 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Herndon 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) | $58,679 – $66,685 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,685 – $73,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,923 – $76,907 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,907 – $83,247 |
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 Herndon
In Herndon, the job market for occupational therapy assistants shows potential, with five individuals currently employed in this role. The area's cost of living index stands at 103.2, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power can be constrained compared to other regions. Employers offering the highest pay include hospital inpatient rehabilitation facilities and specialized outpatient clinics, where productivity benchmarks are more rigorous. Factors influencing the disparity between lower and higher salaries include the environment in which one works; for example, pay is often more favorable in hospital settings than in skilled nursing facilities due to the recent cuts in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services. COTAs seeking to maximize their income should consider pursuing contracts that allow for weekends or PRN work, as these opportunities typically offer higher pay rates. Being flexible about job settings and gaining experience in high-demand areas can significantly enhance earnings in this local market.
More salary data for Herndon, 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 $71,903 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Herndon 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 Herndon 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