Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Sitka, AK: $72,861 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Sitka, AK earns a median $72,861/year (≈ $35.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Sitka's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.1), that paycheck buys what $68,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Alaska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Sitka, Alaska, can expect a median annual salary of $72,861 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $74,332. The compensation ranges from $56,457 at the 10th percentile to $84,528 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied productivity expectations within the field. These figures derive from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, adjusted to reflect local cost of living variations. This slight underperformance compared to national figures can be attributed to the unique demands and market dynamics of Sitka’s job landscape, where therapists must frequently balance caseloads to maintain effective service provision.
About the Sitka Market
Salary estimated from Alaska average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,457 | $27.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,493 | $31.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,861 | $35.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,335 | $37.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,528 | $40.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sitka
In Sitka, AK, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,071 (2026 est.). At $72,861, the local median is 1.98% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Sitka: You'd be above the median
How Sitka Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Sitka median: $72,861/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sitka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $78,854 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -1.98% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sitka, AK earn a median of $72,861 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.60% below the Alaska state average of $78,854.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sitka has a cost of living 6.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sitka, AK has a cost-of-living index of 106.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,861 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,672 — a 5.75% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,293
2025 BLS Actual
$70,870
2026 Current Est.
$72,861
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Sitka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,293 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,509 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,979 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,870 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,861 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,909 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sitka metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,293 (2019) to $70,870 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,909 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,616 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sitka 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) | $56,457 – $64,493 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,493 – $72,861 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,861 – $77,335 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,335 – $84,528 |
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 Sitka
The local job market features just five occupational therapy assistants, a number which inherently limits competition and can influence salary negotiations. Sitka's cost-of-living index of 106.1 indicates higher expenses than the national average, impacting take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, especially compared to school districts or outpatient clinics. The disparity in pay across different settings often results from job demands and the ability to meet productivity quotas. The 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services, effective since 2022, has led to tighter budgets in various sectors, further affecting salaries. For occupational therapy assistants in Sitka, pursuing opportunities with inpatient rehabilitation or home health agencies may yield better financial returns, especially when considering the current job market dynamics.
More salary data for Sitka, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Sitka, AK in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Sitka?
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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 $70,870 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Sitka 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 Sitka 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