Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in University Place, WA: $78,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in University Place, WA earns a median $78,289/year (≈ $37.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $72,895 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in University Place, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $78,289, reflecting the nuances of their work environment and patient care demands. The salary range spans from $55,966 at the lower end (P10) to $97,805 at the high end (P90), illustrating the diverse opportunities available across different settings. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicate a competitive pay dynamic, especially given that the national median is $74,332. The local job market for occupational therapy assistants is shaped by the ongoing contrasts between skilled nursing facilities, school contracts, and hospital rehabilitation programs, all of which have been affected by recent Medicare cuts and changing productivity expectations.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,966 | $26.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,134 | $31.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,289 | $37.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,508 | $39.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,805 | $47.03 |
Median Salary Position
5.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,839 (2026 est.). At $78,289, the local median is 5.32% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be above the median
How University Place Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
University Place median: $78,289/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,805 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +5.32% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in University Place, WA earn a median of $78,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $79,805.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,289 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,895 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,785
2025 BLS Actual
$76,149
2026 Current Est.
$78,289
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in University Place (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,785 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,291 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,016 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,833 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,149 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,489 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,785 (2019) to $76,149 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,489 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,704 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $55,966 – $66,134 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,134 – $78,289 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,289 – $82,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,508 – $97,805 |
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 University Place
The employment landscape reveals that only six occupational therapy assistants are currently working in University Place, highlighting a potentially competitive job market. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, local professionals need to factor in the higher living expenses when assessing their take-home pay. Generally, positions in hospital inpatient rehab tend to offer the most favorable compensation compared to settings like skilled nursing facilities, which have seen pressures from the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut implemented in 2022. The financial variances across employment settings can also be driven by factors such as weekend work premiums and the distinctions between school-year versus year-round contracts. For those aspiring to maximize their earnings in University Place, exploring options in outpatient clinics or home health agencies may provide advantageous pathways, particularly as the job dynamics in this area evolve.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in University Place?
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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 $76,149 for occupational therapy assistantsin the University Place 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 University Place 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