Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Thousand Oaks, CA: $84,025 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Thousand Oaks, CA earns a median $84,025/year (≈ $40.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Thousand Oaks's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,293 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistant salaries in Thousand Oaks, California, reflect a dynamic landscape influenced by various healthcare settings. As projected for 2026, professionals in this field can expect a median annual salary of $84,025, which is approximately 13.04% higher than the national average. The range extends from $61,729 at the 10th percentile to $108,023 at the 90th percentile, offering a substantial variate for those in different roles. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, have been adjusted to reflect regional economic factors, indicating an active market for occupational therapy assistants amid the structural divides between skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals—particularly in light of the ongoing adjustments following recent Medicare cuts.
About the Thousand Oaks Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,729 | $29.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,708 | $34.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,025 | $40.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,237 | $45.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,023 | $51.93 |
Median Salary Position
13.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Thousand Oaks
In Thousand Oaks, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,294 (2026 est.). At $84,025, the local median is 13.04% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Thousand Oaks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Thousand Oaks Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Thousand Oaks median: $84,025/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Thousand Oaks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,802 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +13.04% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Thousand Oaks, CA earn a median of $84,025 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 3.20% below the California state average of $86,802.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Thousand Oaks has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Thousand Oaks, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,025 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,293 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,531
2025 BLS Actual
$81,728
2026 Current Est.
$84,025
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Thousand Oaks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,531 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,147 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,628 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,748 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,025 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Thousand Oaks metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $69,531 (2019) to $81,728 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,855 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Thousand Oaks 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) | $61,729 – $72,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,708 – $84,025 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,025 – $94,237 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,237 – $108,023 |
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 Thousand Oaks
In Thousand Oaks, the job market comprises around 32 employed occupational therapy assistants, a figure that underscores a stable yet competitive environment for new COTAs. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power of local salaries is slightly strained, influencing take-home pay and overall lifestyle. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings tend to offer the most competitive occupational therapy assistant pay in Thousand Oaks, CA, given their demand for skilled services and the complexities of patient care involved. Factors like productivity expectations and the scheduling demands of school versus hospital roles can create wide pay disparities in this market. To maximize compensation, aspiring occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing positions in settings that provide year-round contracts or capitalize on the PRN opportunities during weekends, particularly in outpatient clinics where demand remains high despite the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting traditional settings.
More salary data for Thousand Oaks, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Thousand Oaks, CA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Thousand Oaks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Thousand Oaks?
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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 $81,728 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Thousand Oaks 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 Thousand Oaks 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