Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Shoreline, WA: $80,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Shoreline, WA earns a median $80,074/year (≈ $38.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Shoreline's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $74,557 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Shoreline, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $80,074 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national average. The projected salary range spans from $55,801 at the 10th percentile to $98,594 at the 90th percentile, indicating meaningful opportunities for earnings based on experience and setting. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. Given that Shoreline is home to a diverse array of employers in skilled nursing facilities, schools, and outpatient clinics, the dynamics of the job market highlight significant disparities in pay, driven by the specific demands and funding mechanisms of each sector.
About the Shoreline Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,801 | $26.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,827 | $32.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,074 | $38.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,521 | $42.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,594 | $47.41 |
Median Salary Position
7.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shoreline
In Shoreline, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,793 (2026 est.). At $80,074, the local median is 7.72% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shoreline: You'd be above the median
How Shoreline Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Shoreline median: $80,074/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shoreline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,834 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +7.72% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shoreline, WA earn a median of $80,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.72% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.30% above the Washington state average of $79,834.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shoreline has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shoreline, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,074 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,557 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,261
2025 BLS Actual
$77,885
2026 Current Est.
$80,074
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Shoreline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,261 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,802 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,498 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,213 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,562 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,324 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shoreline metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $66,261 (2019) to $77,885 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,324 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,063 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shoreline 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) | $55,801 – $66,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,827 – $80,074 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,074 – $87,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,521 – $98,594 |
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 Shoreline
Examining the local job market, only eight occupational therapy assistants are currently employed in the Shoreline area, suggesting a tight-knit community that may benefit from close professional connections. The cost-of-living index in Shoreline stands at 107.4, placing it above the national average and indicating that living expenses could reduce take-home purchasing power. In terms of compensation, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation programs typically offer the highest salaries for occupational therapy assistants, especially in light of the pressures from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has affected pay scales across many settings. Factors such as the productivity expectations tied to inpatient services and contracting differences between schools and outpatient roles contribute to the wage variations observed. For COTAs in the area, pursuing opportunities at higher-paying facilities, obtaining specialized training, or considering a transition to an MOT program can enhance earning potential in this evolving job landscape.
More salary data for Shoreline, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Shoreline, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Shoreline?
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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 $77,885 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Shoreline 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 Shoreline 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