Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Tumwater, WA: $78,146 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Tumwater, WA earns a median $78,146/year (≈ $37.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Tumwater's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $72,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Tumwater, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $78,146 in 2026. The full salary range reflects considerable variability, from $55,296 at the 10th percentile to $97,542 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, which stands at an index of 107.4, indicating a slightly higher-than-average cost of living in the area. The job market for OTAs shows promising growth with a compound annual growth rate of 2.81%, despite challenges posed by recent Medicare reimbursement cuts impacting pay structures, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics.
About the Tumwater Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,296 | $26.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,862 | $33.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,146 | $37.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,069 | $39.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,542 | $46.89 |
Median Salary Position
5.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tumwater
In Tumwater, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,246 (2026 est.). At $78,146, the local median is 5.13% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Tumwater: You'd be above the median
How Tumwater Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Tumwater median: $78,146/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tumwater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,822 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +5.13% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tumwater, WA earn a median of $78,146 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.13% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.10% below the Washington state average of $79,822.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tumwater has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tumwater, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,146 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,762 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,666
2025 BLS Actual
$76,010
2026 Current Est.
$78,146
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tumwater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,666 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,898 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,449 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,146 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,342 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tumwater metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,666 (2019) to $76,010 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,342 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,676 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tumwater 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) | $55,296 – $68,862 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,862 – $78,146 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,146 – $82,069 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,069 – $97,542 |
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 Tumwater
When analyzing the local job market, there are only six occupational therapy assistants employed in Tumwater, emphasizing a specialized and potentially tight-knit community. The cost of living, indicated by a higher index, suggests that take-home pay may not stretch as far as in lower-cost areas, affecting purchasing power. Among regional employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer better salaries compared to schools and hospitals, largely due to funding realities and productivity expectations. The disparity in pay stems from various factors, including the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has pressured salaries in SNFs and outpatient settings, versus the more stable contracts found in school districts. For those working towards maximizing their compensation in Tumwater, it can be advantageous to seek opportunities in settings that offer year-round work and weekend or PRN shifts, which typically yield higher hourly rates. Understanding these dynamics will help future OTAs better navigate their career options in Tumwater, WA.
More salary data for Tumwater, 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 $76,010 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Tumwater 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 Tumwater 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