Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bellingham, WA: $79,764 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bellingham, WA earns a median $79,764/year (≈ $38.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $74,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Bellingham, WA, is projected to reach a median of $79,764, reflecting a competitive pay scale within the broader landscape for this profession. The salary range for these positions spans from $54,759 at the P10 level to $102,654 at the P90 level. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the impact of recent shifts in healthcare funding, particularly concerning skilled nursing facilities and outpatient services that have faced Medicare cuts. While various settings, such as schools, hospitals, and home health agencies, offer different compensation levels, the dynamics of Bellingham's job market reveal a focus on adapting to the post-Medicare reimbursement environment.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,759 | $26.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,193 | $31.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,764 | $38.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,808 | $41.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,654 | $49.35 |
Median Salary Position
7.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,895 (2026 est.). At $79,764, the local median is 7.31% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be above the median
How Bellingham Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $79,764/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,844 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.31% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $79,764 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $79,844.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,764 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,268 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,005
2025 BLS Actual
$77,584
2026 Current Est.
$79,764
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,005 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,241 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,907 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,262 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,764 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $66,005 (2019) to $77,584 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,000 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $54,759 – $66,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,193 – $79,764 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,764 – $86,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,808 – $102,654 |
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 Bellingham
Currently, there are 13 occupational therapy assistants employed in Bellingham, contributing to a localized labor pool where demand remains relatively stable. The cost of living index for the area stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, which influences purchasing power and salary negotiations. Skilled nursing facilities tend to provide lower pay compared to hospital inpatient rehabilitation and school district contracts, a disparity exacerbated by productivity expectations and the implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut. For COTAs looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing opportunities in hospital settings or year-round contracts may prove advantageous, given their potential for higher pay and more consistent services provided. Networking within the local community and considering pathways toward an MOT could also open doors to increased career advancement and salary growth in Bellingham, WA.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bellingham, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bellingham?
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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 $77,584 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bellingham 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 Bellingham 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