Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Burien, WA: $79,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Burien, WA earns a median $79,461/year (≈ $38.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $73,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Burien, Washington can anticipate a median annual compensation of $79,461 in 2026. This figure places local salaries above the national median of $74,332, showing a positive market trend for COTAs in the region. The salary range for this occupation stretches from $58,426 at the 10th percentile to $101,653 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a wide disparity in pay structures across various employment settings. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate that despite ongoing challenges in reimbursement rates—especially following the 15% Medicare cut—the job opportunities remain stable, particularly in skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and outpatient clinics in Burien.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,426 | $28.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,604 | $32.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,461 | $38.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,140 | $42.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,653 | $48.88 |
Median Salary Position
6.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,227 (2026 est.). At $79,461, the local median is 6.9% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Burien median: $79,461/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,860 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.90% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Burien, WA earn a median of $79,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $79,860.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,461 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,986 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,754
2025 BLS Actual
$77,289
2026 Current Est.
$79,461
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,754 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,283 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,634 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,968 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,289 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,694 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,754 (2019) to $77,289 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,694 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,940 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $58,426 – $68,604 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,604 – $79,461 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,461 – $89,140 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,140 – $101,653 |
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 Burien
Focusing on the local job market dynamics, there are currently eight occupational therapy assistants employed in Burien, WA. The cost-of-living index of 107.4 suggests that while salaries may be competitive, take-home purchasing power can be impacted by housing and living expenses. Among the various settings, COTAs working in hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to earn the highest wages, while salaries in skilled nursing facilities may lag, reflecting the effects of the recent Medicare cuts. The significant variation in salaries is also influenced by employment contracts, such as school-year vs. year-round positions. For occupational therapy assistants seeking to maximize their pay in Burien, exploring diverse employment settings, considering weekend or PRN opportunities, and pursuing additional certifications could enhance both earnings potential and job stability in this evolving market.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $77,289 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Burien 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 Burien 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