Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Washington: $78,434 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 49 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $78,434/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $73,030 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Renton ($79,678), Vancouver ($79,146), Everett ($78,906).
In Washington, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 is projected to be $78,435, which is approximately 5.5% higher than the national median of $74,332. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with Renton leading at $81,917, while Spokane is at the lower end with $72,553, reflecting a gap of $9,364. This disparity is influenced by factors like local cost of living, demand for services, and the overall healthcare market in metropolitan areas. Washington's regulatory environment includes specific state licensing requirements and a defined scope of practice for occupational therapy assistants, which can impact job availability and salary levels. A projected growth rate of 2.81% in employment opportunities indicates a stable job market, driven by an aging population and increased recognition of the importance of rehabilitation services. In addition to Renton, other cities such as Vancouver ($81,370), Everett ($81,123), Richland ($80,681), and Bellevue ($80,552) highlight the concentrated demand for skilled professionals in specific regions. This growth and salary landscape present sound opportunities for those entering the field in Washington.
Washington Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $51,228 (lowest entry-level) to $106,351 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington occupational therapy assistants earn 5.52% more than the national median (+$4,102/year difference).
Washington Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in Washington range from $59,893 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,444 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,434. The Washington median is $4,102 above the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $37.71/hr. Approximately 1,095 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 49 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,449
2025 BLS Actual
$76,291
2026 Current Est.
$78,434
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Washington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,449 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,953 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,143 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,076 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,354 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,434 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 18.4% from $64,449 (2019) to $76,291 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,189 (25.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Spokane | $72,553 |
| Tukwila | $73,791 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $73,904 |
| Spokane Valley | $73,949 |
| Covington | $74,943 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renton | $81,917 | 107.4 | $76,273 |
| Vancouver | $81,370 | 107.4 | $75,764 |
| Everett | $81,123 | 107.4 | $75,534 |
| Richland | $80,681 | 107.4 | $75,122 |
| Bellevue | $80,552 | 107.4 | $75,002 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $59,893 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,434 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,444 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 49 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Renton | $81,917 |
| 2 | Vancouver | $81,370 |
| 3 | Everett | $81,123 |
| 4 | Richland | $80,681 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $80,552 |
| 6 | Marysville | $80,517 |
| 7 | Shoreline | $80,074 |
| 8 | Seattle | $79,770 |
| 9 | Bellingham | $79,764 |
| 10 | Redmond | $79,758 |
| 11 | Kent | $79,692 |
| 12 | Kirkland | $79,562 |
| 13 | Burien | $79,461 |
| 14 | Kennewick | $79,201 |
| 15 | Federal Way | $79,111 |
| 16 | Des Moines | $79,094 |
| 17 | Olympia | $79,071 |
| 18 | Auburn | $78,911 |
| 19 | Lakewood | $78,879 |
| 20 | Issaquah | $78,834 |
| 21 | Tacoma | $78,440 |
| 22 | Lacey | $78,385 |
| 23 | Sammamish | $78,316 |
| 24 | University Place | $78,289 |
| 25 | Bremerton | $78,228 |
| 26 | SeaTac | $78,227 |
| 27 | Tumwater | $78,146 |
| 28 | Pasco | $77,892 |
| 29 | Longview | $77,855 |
| 30 | Mount Vernon | $77,657 |
| 31 | Edmonds | $77,415 |
| 32 | Lake Stevens | $77,211 |
| 33 | Lynnwood | $77,161 |
| 34 | Moses Lake | $77,013 |
| 35 | Bothell | $76,957 |
| 36 | Pullman | $76,616 |
| 37 | Puyallup | $76,442 |
| 38 | Ellensburg | $76,155 |
| 39 | Maple Valley | $75,947 |
| 40 | Walla Walla | $75,780 |
| 41 | Camas | $75,756 |
| 42 | Wenatchee | $75,693 |
| 43 | Oak Harbor | $75,435 |
| 44 | Kenmore | $74,948 |
| 45 | Covington | $74,943 |
| 46 | Spokane Valley | $73,949 |
| 47 | Mountlake Terrace | $73,904 |
| 48 | Tukwila | $73,791 |
| 49 | Spokane | $72,553 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in Washington cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in Washington?
How does Washington occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Washington?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 49 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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