Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Ellensburg, WA: $76,155 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Ellensburg, WA earns a median $76,155/year (≈ $36.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Ellensburg's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $70,908 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Ellensburg, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $76,155 in 2026, showing a slight increase compared to the national figure of $74,332. The projected salary range for this role is significant, with earnings spanning from $56,676 at the 10th percentile to $88,384 at the 90th percentile. These local estimates are informed by BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional economic factors. This favorable earning potential highlights the demand for skilled occupational therapy assistants in the area, demonstrating how effective delivery of therapy services can influence compensation through productivity expectations, particularly regarding visits per day.
About the Ellensburg Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,676 | $27.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,712 | $31.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,155 | $36.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,852 | $38.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,384 | $42.49 |
Median Salary Position
2.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,708 (2026 est.). At $76,155, the local median is 2.45% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Ellensburg: You'd be above the median
How Ellensburg Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Ellensburg median: $76,155/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellensburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,828 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +2.45% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $76,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.45% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $79,828.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellensburg has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellensburg, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,155 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,908 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,019
2025 BLS Actual
$74,074
2026 Current Est.
$76,155
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Ellensburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,245 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,826 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,767 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,074 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,155 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellensburg metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,019 (2019) to $74,074 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,276 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellensburg 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) | $56,676 – $65,712 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,712 – $76,155 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,155 – $80,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,852 – $88,384 |
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 Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is supported by a small but steady workforce, with about six professionals employed locally. Given the cost of living index of 107.4, which indicates above-average living expenses, take-home pay becomes a crucial consideration for residents. Employers in this region that tend to offer more competitive compensation include skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab hospitals, and outpatient clinics. The disparity in pay often stems from factors such as setting, productivity demands, and specific reimbursement scenarios influenced by changes in Medicare policies, including the recent 15% cut that began impacting reimbursement rates in 2022. To maximize earnings, COTAs in Ellensburg should seek roles in high-paying environments and consider pursuing additional certifications or transitioning from a COTA to a MOT pathway, which may open doors for higher positions and better pay structures.
More salary data for Ellensburg, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Ellensburg, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Ellensburg?
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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 $74,074 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg 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