Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $67,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $67,577/year (≈ $32.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $68,998 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.4% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Virginia Beach is projected to be $67,577, reflecting a competitive position within the state and provides individuals considering a career in this field with a clear earning potential. The range of salaries spans from $59,362 at the lower end to $83,543 at the higher end, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. For those planning to transition from a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to a Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), this additional credentialing can significantly augment lifetime earnings. Understanding local salary dynamics, particularly in light of Virginia Beach's 2.81% projected growth rate, positions aspiring OTAs to make informed career decisions and maximize their earning potential within the local market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,362 | $28.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,254 | $29.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,577 | $32.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,763 | $37.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,543 | $40.17 |
Median Salary Position
9.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,181 (2026 est.). At $67,577, the local median is 9.09% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $67,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $78,945 | -14.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.09% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $67,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.09% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 14.40% below the Virginia state average of $78,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,577 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,998 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,890
2025 BLS Actual
$65,730
2026 Current Est.
$67,577
2019–2027 Growth
+8.7%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,476 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 2.9% from $63,890 (2019) to $65,730 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,586 (8.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $59,362 – $61,254 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,254 – $67,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,577 – $78,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,763 – $83,543 |
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 Virginia Beach
The job market for occupational therapy assistants is robust in Virginia Beach, with around 300 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, at 97.941, suggests that housing and general expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing for a more favorable take-home purchasing power. Employers across different settings exhibit varying levels of pay, with skilled nursing facilities often offering competitive wages followed by roles in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and school district contracts. Disparities in compensation can be attributed to factors such as workplace expectations, weekend and PRN premiums, and the recent impacts of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services, which have particularly influenced outpatient and skilled nursing settings. To maximize occupational therapy assistant pay in Virginia Beach VA, it’s advisable for COTAs to seek positions that offer weekend work or consider transitioning to high-reimbursement environments while also evaluating opportunities for further education that can enhance their qualifications.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Virginia Beach?
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How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Virginia Beach?
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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 $65,730 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Virginia Beach 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