Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Auburn, WA: $78,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Auburn, WA earns a median $78,911/year (≈ $37.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $73,474 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $78,911 in 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Auburn, WA, reflects a competitive compensation landscape compared to the national average of $74,332. The local compensation ranges from $53,052 at the 10th percentile to $99,599 at the 90th percentile. These figures consider regional price adjustments, which are essential for understanding earning potential in a city where living costs are above the national average. For current or aspiring occupational therapy assistants, the expectation is to efficiently manage an increased number of client visits per day, which directly impacts the effectiveness of their work and earnings.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,052 | $25.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,470 | $32.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,911 | $37.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,894 | $42.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,599 | $47.89 |
Median Salary Position
6.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,547 (2026 est.). At $78,911, the local median is 6.16% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be above the median
How Auburn Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Auburn median: $78,911/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,869 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.16% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Auburn, WA earn a median of $78,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.16% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $79,869.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,911 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,474 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,299
2025 BLS Actual
$76,754
2026 Current Est.
$78,911
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,299 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,817 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,533 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,208 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,138 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,435 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,754 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,128 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,299 (2019) to $76,754 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,128 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,829 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $53,052 – $67,470 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,470 – $78,911 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,911 – $87,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,894 – $99,599 |
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 Auburn
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Auburn is currently supported by 23 professionals in the field, facing a cost-of-living index of 107.4. This means that while salaries are healthy, the actual purchasing power may not match the expectations set by higher pay alone. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers typically offer the highest compensation, with differences often driven by workplace setting and productivity demands. Factors such as the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services since 2022 have influenced pay scales across various sectors, pushing higher salaries to hospital environments as budgets tighten elsewhere. To maximize earnings potential, occupational therapy assistants in Auburn should consider seeking opportunities at these facilities while being mindful of productivity expectations and available contracts to increase their overall salary through both weekday and weekend work as needed.
More salary data for Auburn, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Auburn, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Auburn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Auburn?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Auburn?
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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 $76,754 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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