Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Richland, WA: $80,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Richland, WA earns a median $80,681/year (≈ $38.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $75,122 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the field of occupational therapy, professionals in Richland, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $80,681 in 2026, marking a compelling 8.54% increase compared to the national median. This local estimate indicates a salary range for occupational therapy assistants between $57,216 and $97,431. Such insights are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price disparities, reflecting Richland's specific economic climate. The job market here supports a diverse array of settings, which create opportunities for promoting patient productivity through efficient visit schedules, ultimately influencing compensation structures in the area.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,216 | $27.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,078 | $32.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,681 | $38.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,287 | $41.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,431 | $46.84 |
Median Salary Position
8.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,215 (2026 est.). At $80,681, the local median is 8.54% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be above the median
How Richland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Richland median: $80,681/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,803 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +8.54% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richland, WA earn a median of $80,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.10% above the Washington state average of $79,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,681 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,122 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,764
2025 BLS Actual
$78,476
2026 Current Est.
$80,681
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,764 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,316 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,003 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,738 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,734 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,476 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $66,764 (2019) to $78,476 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,184 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $57,216 – $68,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,078 – $80,681 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,681 – $87,287 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,287 – $97,431 |
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 Richland
Occupational therapy assistants in Richland, WA, find a competitive job market, with approximately 15 COTAs currently employed locally. The cost of living index stands slightly above the national average at 107.4, indicating that while salaries are robust, the cost burden may limit effective purchasing power. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer higher pay, while outpatient clinics and school districts may have more constrained budgets, especially given the impact of Medicare’s 15% reimbursement cut on OTA services since 2022. Factors such as variability in productivity expectations, contracts that span school years versus full years, and the demand for weekend or PRN shifts further differentiate pay rates. To maximize earnings, COTAs should consider pursuing roles in higher-paying environments or obtaining advanced credentials through COTA-to-MOT bridge programs, enhancing their value in this competitive market.
More salary data for Richland, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $78,476 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Richland 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 Richland 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