Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Pasadena, CA: $87,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Pasadena, CA earns a median $87,440/year (≈ $42.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $77,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Pasadena, California, earn a competitive median annual salary of $87,440 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $74,332 by approximately 17.63%. The salary range for this occupation in the area showcases variation with a lower bound of $61,978 and an upper limit reaching $112,500. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. The salary here positions Pasadena's occupational therapy assistant pay among the higher echelons compared to many other regions, likely influenced by a combination of demand for services and the cost of living.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,978 | $29.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,951 | $35.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,440 | $42.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,389 | $47.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,500 | $54.09 |
Median Salary Position
17.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,522 (2026 est.). At $87,440, the local median is 17.63% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be above the median
How Pasadena Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $87,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,746 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +17.63% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pasadena, CA earn a median of $87,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.63% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.80% above the California state average of $86,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,440 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,312 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,357
2025 BLS Actual
$85,050
2026 Current Est.
$87,440
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,357 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,039 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,616 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,827 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,897 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $72,357 (2019) to $85,050 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,897 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,540 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $61,978 – $73,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,951 – $87,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,440 – $98,389 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,389 – $112,500 |
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 Pasadena
Currently, 35 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Pasadena, a number that signals a relatively stable job market for this role. With a cost of living index set at 113.1, which is above the national average, take-home pay may differ significantly from nominal salaries. Setting aside the higher-paying roles found in hospital inpatient rehabilitation and home health agencies, various factors contribute to salary disparities, including productivity expectations, the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on certain settings, and variations in contract types (school-year vs. year-round). To maximize compensation, aspiring occupational therapy assistants in Pasadena should consider seeking employment in outpatient clinics or home health settings, where pay tends to be highest, while remaining mindful of potential premiums for weekend and PRN work.
More salary data for Pasadena, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Pasadena?
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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 $85,050 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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