Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lynnwood, WA: $77,161 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lynnwood, WA earns a median $77,161/year (≈ $37.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lynnwood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $71,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Lynnwood, Washington, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $77,161 in 2026, which reflects a slight above-average pay when compared to the national median of $74,332. The projected salary range for these professionals ranges from $59,589 at the lower end (P10) to $94,217 at the higher end (P90), illustrating a competitive market for occupational therapy assistant pay in Lynnwood, WA. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences, emphasizing how local economic factors influence earnings. For those considering bridging from a COTA to a Master's in Occupational Therapy (MOT), the increased lifetime earning potential can be significant, making the investment in further education a valuable career move amidst a growing job market in the area.
About the Lynnwood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,589 | $28.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,513 | $32.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,161 | $37.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,596 | $39.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,217 | $45.30 |
Median Salary Position
3.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lynnwood
In Lynnwood, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,628 (2026 est.). At $77,161, the local median is 3.81% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lynnwood: You'd be above the median
How Lynnwood Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lynnwood median: $77,161/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lynnwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,794 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.81% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lynnwood, WA earn a median of $77,161 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $79,794.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lynnwood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lynnwood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,161 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,845 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,851
2025 BLS Actual
$75,052
2026 Current Est.
$77,161
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lynnwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,851 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,696 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,561 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,052 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,161 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lynnwood metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,851 (2019) to $75,052 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,478 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lynnwood 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) | $59,589 – $68,513 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,513 – $77,161 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,161 – $81,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,596 – $94,217 |
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 Lynnwood
In Lynnwood, where only six occupational therapy assistants are currently employed, the job market may seem limited. However, the cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that residents may find their purchasing power is somewhat constrained compared to national averages. Some of the more lucrative positions can be found in hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings or rehabilitation agencies, especially considering the variations in pay driven by the specific employer and work setting. Factors contributing to the spread of salaries include productivity expectations and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services, which has particularly compressed wages in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. To optimize earnings, aspiring COTAs might consider pursuing positions in hospitals or early intervention programs, where pay tends to be higher, and taking on weekend or PRN shifts can also open doors to additional pay opportunities tailored to the specific market dynamics of Lynnwood.
More salary data for Lynnwood, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lynnwood?
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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 $75,052 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lynnwood 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 Lynnwood 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