Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Oak Harbor, WA: $75,435 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Oak Harbor, WA earns a median $75,435/year (≈ $36.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Oak Harbor's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $70,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Oak Harbor, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $75,435 in 2026, reflecting a slight increase over national averages. The salary range stretches from $54,907 at the 10th percentile to $86,005 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earning potential that correlates with experience and the type of setting in which the assistant works. These figures are based on 2025 BLS estimates, projected to 2026, and account for regional cost-of-living adjustments. For those entering the field, particularly in a market like Oak Harbor, understanding these financial parameters is essential to navigating job opportunities effectively.
About the Oak Harbor Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,907 | $26.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,195 | $30.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,435 | $36.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,356 | $38.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,005 | $41.35 |
Median Salary Position
1.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Harbor
In Oak Harbor, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,098 (2026 est.). At $75,435, the local median is 1.48% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Oak Harbor: You'd be above the median
How Oak Harbor Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Oak Harbor median: $75,435/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Harbor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,825 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.48% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oak Harbor, WA earn a median of $75,435 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.48% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 5.50% below the Washington state average of $79,825.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Harbor has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Harbor, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,435 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,237 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,423
2025 BLS Actual
$73,373
2026 Current Est.
$75,435
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oak Harbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,423 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,646 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,204 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,004 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,069 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,373 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,435 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Harbor metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $62,423 (2019) to $73,373 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,131 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Harbor 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) | $54,907 – $64,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,195 – $75,435 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,435 – $79,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,356 – $86,005 |
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 Oak Harbor
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants remains competitive, with five practitioners currently employed in the area. Oak Harbor's cost of living index is 107.4, higher than the national average, which impacts purchasing power for residents. Among potential employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs typically offer the highest salaries, while positions within school districts tend to provide more stable contracts, particularly year-round roles. Factors contributing to salary variations include productivity expectations, a possible weekend or PRN pay premium, and the repercussions of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has notably affected service provision in outpatient clinics and skilled nursing facilities. For those looking to optimize their pay within the Oak Harbor WA market, pursuing positions in settings with higher reimbursement rates and seeking flexible contracts can be key strategies for maximizing occupational therapy assistant pay in Oak Harbor.
More salary data for Oak Harbor, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Oak Harbor, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Oak Harbor?
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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 $73,373 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Oak Harbor 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 Oak Harbor 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