Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bellevue, WA: $80,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bellevue, WA earns a median $80,552/year (≈ $38.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $75,002 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Washington, the projected median annual salary for occupational therapy assistants is $80,552 in 2026, representing a notable increase compared to the national average of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals spans from $54,286 at the 10th percentile to $105,833 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy compensation structure within the local market. These figures, adjusted for the regional cost of living, reflect the value placed on the skill set of COTAs as they work to enhance patient outcomes. Bellevue’s job market presents opportunities for growth, especially as the demand for rehabilitation services continues to rise in the face of an aging population and increased healthcare needs.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,286 | $26.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,242 | $31.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,552 | $38.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,591 | $42.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,833 | $50.88 |
Median Salary Position
8.37% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,547 (2026 est.). At $80,552, the local median is 8.37% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be above the median
How Bellevue Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $80,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,833 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +8.37% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $80,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.37% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% above the Washington state average of $79,833.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,552 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,002 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,657
2025 BLS Actual
$78,350
2026 Current Est.
$80,552
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,657 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,207 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,896 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,626 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,617 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,867 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,815 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $66,657 (2019) to $78,350 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,815 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,158 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $54,286 – $66,242 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,242 – $80,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,552 – $88,591 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,591 – $105,833 |
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 Bellevue
With 26 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Bellevue, the local job market shows strength, although it is essential to consider the cost-of-living index, which stands at 107.4. This index signifies a higher-than-average expense for housing and daily living, impacting overall take-home pay. Among the local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab centers often provide higher pay compared to school district contracts or outpatient clinics. Factors influencing salary disparities include setting dynamics, productivity expectations, and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. To maximize pay in Bellevue, establishing strong ties with high-paying facilities, seeking weekend or PRN work, and considering year-round contracts in rehab settings can prove advantageous for occupational therapy assistants navigating this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bellevue?
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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 $78,350 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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