Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Kent, WA: $79,692 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Kent, WA earns a median $79,692/year (≈ $38.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $74,201 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Kent, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $79,692 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the field, especially when compared to the national median of $74,332. Local salaries range from $57,597 at the 10th percentile to $104,184 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and workplace setting. Factors such as the demand for services in skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals under the current economic pressures from recent Medicare cuts will significantly shape the job landscape. As Kent’s market continues to evolve, understanding these dynamics could help COTAs identify opportunities, especially since pay varies considerably depending on the specific employer and service setting.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,597 | $27.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,239 | $32.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,692 | $38.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,405 | $43.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,184 | $50.09 |
Median Salary Position
7.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,587 (2026 est.). At $79,692, the local median is 7.21% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Kent median: $79,692/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,852 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.21% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kent, WA earn a median of $79,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.21% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $79,852.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,692 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,201 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,946
2025 BLS Actual
$77,514
2026 Current Est.
$79,692
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,946 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,182 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,883 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,843 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,192 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,514 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,692 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,931 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,946 (2019) to $77,514 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,931 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,985 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $57,597 – $68,239 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,239 – $79,692 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,692 – $90,405 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,405 – $104,184 |
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 Kent
With 33 occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Kent, job stability appears to be solid, despite the cost of living index sitting at 107.4, above the national average. This suggests that while local salaries provide a reasonable standard of living, the higher cost of living may impact actual purchasing power. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital settings typically offer higher pay compared to schools and sometimes outpatient clinics, primarily due to differing productivity expectations and reimbursement rates. The recent 15% cut in Medicare reimbursement for OTA services has particularly affected earnings in SNFs and outpatient environments, complicating the financial landscape for new graduates. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Kent WA, exploring positions in high-demand hospital inpatient rehab settings or pursuing school-year contracts that may come with additional benefits could provide a more fruitful trajectory.
More salary data for Kent, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Kent, WA in 2026?
Is Kent, WA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Kent?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Kent?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Kent?
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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 $77,514 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Kent 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 Kent 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