Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Napa, CA: $85,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Napa, CA earns a median $85,543/year (≈ $41.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Napa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,635 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Napa, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $85,543 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $74,332. The salary range for this profession spans from $64,080 at the 10th percentile to $107,792 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living considerations. For individuals considering the COTA-to-MOT bridge, this enhanced earning potential provides a compelling reason to pursue further education, as increased qualifications often lead to higher lifetime pay and greater job opportunities in the area’s growing healthcare landscape.
About the Napa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,742 | $35.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,543 | $41.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,978 | $45.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,792 | $51.83 |
Median Salary Position
15.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Napa
In Napa, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,712 (2026 est.). At $85,543, the local median is 15.08% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Napa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Napa Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Napa median: $85,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Napa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,758 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +15.08% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Napa, CA earn a median of $85,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.08% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the California state average of $86,758.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Napa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Napa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,543 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,635 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$70,788
2025 BLS Actual
$83,205
2026 Current Est.
$85,543
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Napa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,433 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,041 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,117 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,199 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,205 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,947 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Napa metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $70,788 (2019) to $83,205 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,947 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,159 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Napa 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) | $64,080 – $74,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,742 – $85,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,543 – $94,978 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,978 – $107,792 |
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 Napa
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Napa appears stable, with 17 professionals currently employed in this field. Although the cost of living in Napa is elevated (with a CoL index of 113.1), making take-home salary more critical, there are various sectors that attract higher compensation. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation tend to offer better pay than school district contracts or outpatient clinics. Factors contributing to the disparity in occupational therapy assistant pay include productivity expectations, contract terms, and the influence of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on service delivery. To maximize earnings in Napa, prospective occupational therapy assistants should seek employment in settings with year-round contracts and consider pursuing specialized skills or certifications that may justify higher pay, especially in an evolving market where demand for OT services continues to grow.
More salary data for Napa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Napa, CA in 2026?
Is Napa, CA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Napa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Napa?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Napa?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $83,205 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Napa 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 Napa 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