Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Garden Grove, CA: $88,736 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Garden Grove, CA earns a median $88,736/year (≈ $42.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Garden Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $78,458 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden Grove, California, the projected compensation for occupational therapy assistants in 2026 reaches a median annual salary of $88,736, significantly higher than the national median of $74,332. Salaries for this role span from $60,180 at the lower end to $111,330 among the highest earners, indicating a diverse market influenced by various factors such as experience, workplace setting, and operational demands. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and region-specific cost adjustments, reflecting the localized economic context. As demand for occupational therapy services continues to grow in the area, driven by an aging population and an uptick in healthcare needs, job opportunities for occupational therapy assistants are expected to remain robust, shaping a favorable employment environment.
About the Garden Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,259 | $35.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,736 | $42.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,886 | $47.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,330 | $53.52 |
Median Salary Position
19.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,150 (2026 est.). At $88,736, the local median is 19.38% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Garden Grove: You'd be above the median
How Garden Grove Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Garden Grove median: $88,736/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,741 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +19.38% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $88,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.38% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.30% above the California state average of $86,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $88,736 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $78,458 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,430
2025 BLS Actual
$86,311
2026 Current Est.
$88,736
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Garden Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,137 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,701 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,529 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,311 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,736 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden Grove metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $73,430 (2019) to $86,311 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,800 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden Grove 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) | $60,180 – $73,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,259 – $88,736 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,736 – $97,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,886 – $111,330 |
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 Garden Grove
Looking deeper into the local job market, Garden Grove employs approximately 37 occupational therapy assistants, creating a tight-knit community that often sees salary variations based on placement and employer type. With a cost of living index of 113.1, the take-home purchasing power for professionals in this field can be affected, making it vital for entrants to understand wage dynamics. For instance, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab settings often command higher salaries compared to school districts or outpatient clinics due to differing reimbursement rates and productivity demands. Additionally, factors such as the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services implemented in 2022 have further complicated earnings, leading to a wider pay disparity. To maximize earnings, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should target high-paying environments, consider weekend or PRN opportunities which often include pay premiums, and become familiar with the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways to enhance career advancement potential within this sector in Garden Grove, CA.
More salary data for Garden Grove, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Garden Grove, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Garden Grove?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Garden Grove?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Garden Grove?
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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 $86,311 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove 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