Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in La Mirada, CA: $86,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in La Mirada, CA earns a median $86,219/year (≈ $41.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in La Mirada's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,233 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In La Mirada, California, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $86,219 for 2026, surpassing the national median significantly. The salary range varies from $63,444 at the 10th percentile to $101,583 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and working conditions within the field. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional costs, making La Mirada a competitive market for occupational therapy assistants. This local compensation structure offers practitioners the potential for increased lifetime earnings, particularly for those who pursue further education via a COTA-to-MOT bridge, enhancing their professional stature and economic prospects within the community.
About the La Mirada Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,444 | $30.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,236 | $35.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,219 | $41.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,020 | $45.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,583 | $48.83 |
Median Salary Position
15.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Mirada
In La Mirada, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,139 (2026 est.). At $86,219, the local median is 15.99% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in La Mirada: You'd be above the median
How La Mirada Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
La Mirada median: $86,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Mirada Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,739 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +15.99% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in La Mirada, CA earn a median of $86,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.99% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% below the California state average of $86,739.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Mirada has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Mirada, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,219 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,233 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,346
2025 BLS Actual
$83,862
2026 Current Est.
$86,219
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in La Mirada (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,602 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,726 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,904 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,862 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Mirada metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,346 (2019) to $83,862 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,295 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Mirada 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) | $63,444 – $74,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,236 – $86,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,219 – $94,020 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,020 – $101,583 |
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 La Mirada
Currently, there are ten occupational therapy assistants employed in La Mirada, contributing to a localized job market that is steadily projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.81%. The cost of living index in the area stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, professionals must account for a greater expense of living that influences take-home pay. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest pay, although productivity expectations and the recent 15% reduction in Medicare reimbursements may compress wages across other settings, including outpatient clinics and school districts. To maximize earnings in La Mirada, occupational therapy assistants should consider enhancing their skills through continuing education, targeting employer sectors that pay higher wages, and exploring opportunities for flexible or PRN positions that may provide premium rates. Understanding these market dynamics will help COTAs effectively navigate their career path and optimize their income potential.
More salary data for La Mirada, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in La Mirada, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in La Mirada?
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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 $83,862 for occupational therapy assistantsin the La Mirada 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 La Mirada 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