Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Lompoc, CA: $85,869 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Lompoc, CA earns a median $85,869/year (≈ $41.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Lompoc's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,923 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Lompoc, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $85,869 in 2026. The salary range for this role spans from $62,687 at the 10th percentile to $100,478 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the field. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026, and account for regional cost-of-living adjustments. For those considering the occupational therapy assistant pathway, there is potential to significantly increase lifetime earnings by bridging to a master’s level occupational therapy program, enhancing career prospects and compensation in the long term.
About the Lompoc Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,687 | $30.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,500 | $35.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,869 | $41.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,430 | $43.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,478 | $48.31 |
Median Salary Position
15.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lompoc
In Lompoc, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,791 (2026 est.). At $85,869, the local median is 15.52% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Lompoc Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Lompoc median: $85,869/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lompoc Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,736 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +15.52% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lompoc, CA earn a median of $85,869 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.52% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.00% below the California state average of $86,736.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lompoc has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lompoc, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,869 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,923 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,057
2025 BLS Actual
$83,522
2026 Current Est.
$85,869
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Lompoc (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,057 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,709 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,223 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,411 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,538 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,522 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,869 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,282 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lompoc metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,057 (2019) to $83,522 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,282 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,225 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lompoc 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) | $62,687 – $73,500 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,500 – $85,869 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,869 – $91,430 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,430 – $100,478 |
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 Lompoc
The job market in Lompoc shows modest employment opportunities with only eight occupational therapy assistants working locally. The cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, which may impact the purchasing power of salaries here. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the highest pay rates, while school district contracts often provide more stable but lower compensation. Variability in pay can stem from factors such as setting, productivity requirements, and the implications of recent Medicare reimbursement cuts, which have affected many practices. To maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Lompoc, practitioners should consider flexibility in work settings, negotiate for additional healthcare benefits, and align with employers who are positioned to weather changes in the reimbursement landscape.
More salary data for Lompoc, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Lompoc, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Lompoc?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Lompoc?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Lompoc?
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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 $83,522 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Lompoc 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 Lompoc 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