Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Richmond, VA: $78,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Richmond, VA earns a median $78,917/year (≈ $37.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $80,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Richmond, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $78,917 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive advantage over the national median salary for this role, which stands at $74,332, indicating a worthwhile investment in a career in healthcare. Salaries for occupational therapy assistants in the city vary significantly, falling between $51,405 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $96,055 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate strong earning potential in Richmond, driven by factors such as the number of visits made per day and operational productivity expectations, essential for both job satisfaction and financial stability in this essential field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,405 | $24.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,354 | $31.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,917 | $37.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,371 | $39.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,055 | $46.18 |
Median Salary Position
6.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,650 (2026 est.). At $78,917, the local median is 6.17% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Richmond median: $78,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.17% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richmond, VA earn a median of $78,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.17% higher than the national median of $74,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $78,917 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,644 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,460
2025 BLS Actual
$76,760
2026 Current Est.
$78,917
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 8.9% from $70,460 (2019) to $76,760 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,675 (15.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $51,405 – $66,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,354 – $78,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,917 – $82,371 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,371 – $96,055 |
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 Richmond
Currently, Richmond has approximately 210 employed occupational therapy assistants, positioning the local job market for growth at an annual rate of 2.81%. However, the cost of living index of 97.858 suggests that while salaries are attractive, the cost of living is slightly below the national average, impacting take-home pay. Employers that often offer higher compensation include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, which typically provide a more lucrative environment compared to outpatient clinics or school district contracts. Factors contributing to salary variation include the settings in which COTAs work, productivity requirements, potential weekend or PRN premium pay, and the repercussions of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that began affecting OTA services in 2022. To maximize earnings in Richmond, occupational therapy assistants should consider positions in high-paying settings while also looking into continuing education opportunities, like COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, to enhance their qualifications and open up further earning potential.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Richmond, VA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Richmond?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Richmond?
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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 $76,760 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Richmond 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, 7-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