Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Redlands, CA: $87,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Redlands, CA earns a median $87,783/year (≈ $42.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Redlands's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $77,615 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Redlands, California, can anticipate a median salary of $87,783, substantially higher than the national median of $74,332. The local salary range extends from $62,398 at the 10th percentile to $109,618 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential based on experience and work setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, highlighting the competitive compensation for this role in Redlands. The market is robust, shaped by the need for skilled healthcare professionals in various settings, making it an appealing location for occupational therapy assistants seeking to improve their financial standing.
About the Redlands Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,398 | $30.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,179 | $35.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,783 | $42.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,867 | $46.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,618 | $52.70 |
Median Salary Position
18.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redlands
In Redlands, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,220 (2026 est.). At $87,783, the local median is 18.1% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redlands: You'd be above the median
How Redlands Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Redlands median: $87,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redlands Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,742 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +18.10% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Redlands, CA earn a median of $87,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.10% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 1.20% above the California state average of $86,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redlands has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redlands, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $87,783 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,615 — 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
$72,641
2025 BLS Actual
$85,384
2026 Current Est.
$87,783
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Redlands (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,641 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,901 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,877 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,137 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,535 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,250 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redlands metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $72,641 (2019) to $85,384 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,250 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,609 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redlands 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) | $62,398 – $74,179 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,179 – $87,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,783 – $96,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,867 – $109,618 |
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 Redlands
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Redlands consists of 16 employed professionals, reflecting a community that values healthcare services. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, salaries must be carefully navigated to ensure that take-home purchasing power remains sufficient to meet local expenses. Employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabs tend to offer higher pay, although compensation can vary significantly based on productivity expectations, work atmosphere, and contractual agreements. The 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA-provided services has intensified the pay compression experienced in skilled nursing and outpatient environments, making some positions less lucrative. Aspiring or current occupational therapy assistants can optimize their earnings by seeking opportunities in settings that offer premium pay and considering year-round contracts to maximize income potential. Additionally, exploring roles beyond traditional scopes, such as early intervention programs and home health agencies, may offer alternative pathways to a thriving career in Redlands.
More salary data for Redlands, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Redlands, CA in 2026?
Is Redlands, CA a good place to work as a occupational therapy assistant?
Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Redlands?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Redlands?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Redlands?
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 $85,384 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Redlands 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 Redlands 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