Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Moses Lake, WA: $77,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Moses Lake, WA earns a median $77,013/year (≈ $37.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Moses Lake's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $71,707 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Moses Lake, Washington, occupational therapy assistants can expect a median annual salary of $77,013 in 2026, which is slightly above the national median of $74,332, reflecting a competitive pay rate in the region. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with starting salaries at approximately $59,231 for the bottom 10% and reaching up to $93,749 for the top 10%, indicating diverse earning potentials based on experience, setting, and productivity expectations. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, which is important for professionals seeking to understand their financial prospects in this market. The small size of the profession, with only four occupational therapy assistants currently employed in Moses Lake, points to a niche market with growth opportunities.
About the Moses Lake Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,231 | $28.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,201 | $32.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,013 | $37.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,156 | $40.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,749 | $45.07 |
Median Salary Position
3.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moses Lake
In Moses Lake, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,518 (2026 est.). At $77,013, the local median is 3.61% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Moses Lake: You'd be above the median
How Moses Lake Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Moses Lake median: $77,013/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moses Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,806 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +3.61% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Moses Lake, WA earn a median of $77,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.61% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.50% below the Washington state average of $79,806.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moses Lake has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moses Lake, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,013 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,707 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,729
2025 BLS Actual
$74,908
2026 Current Est.
$77,013
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Moses Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,957 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,568 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,597 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,908 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,177 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moses Lake metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $63,729 (2019) to $74,908 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,448 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moses Lake 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) | $59,231 – $68,201 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,201 – $77,013 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,013 – $84,156 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,156 – $93,749 |
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 Moses Lake
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Moses Lake displays a mixed landscape shaped by the cost of living index of 107.4, which suggests that while salaries may be competitive, purchasing power can be limited. Employers in skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest compensation, often providing added pay for weekend or PRN shifts to meet healthcare demands. Factors contributing to the variance in occupational therapy assistant pay in Moses Lake include the work setting, with hospital roles typically offering higher salaries than those in schools or outpatient clinics, influenced by patient volume and productivity expectations. Additionally, the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut places pressure on pay structures, especially in areas heavily reliant on Medicare funding. For those entering the field, exploring contract opportunities with school districts or considering year-round roles may provide the best strategies for maximizing earnings, positioning themselves well within the evolving compensation framework.
More salary data for Moses Lake, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Moses Lake, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Moses Lake?
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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 $74,908 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Moses Lake 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 Moses Lake 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