Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Tracy, CA: $84,299 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Tracy, CA earns a median $84,299/year (≈ $40.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Tracy's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,535 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary projected at $84,299 in 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Tracy, California, earn significantly more than the national average of $74,332. This local salary falls within a range from $61,196 at the 10th percentile to $103,568 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy level of compensation within the field. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost differences, reflecting the economic realities of living and working in Tracy. Given the area's growth rate of 2.81%, prospects for job stability and earnings potential appear promising, especially as demand for therapy services continues to rise.
About the Tracy Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,196 | $29.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,190 | $34.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,299 | $40.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,106 | $45.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,568 | $49.79 |
Median Salary Position
13.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tracy
In Tracy, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,372 (2026 est.). At $84,299, the local median is 13.41% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Tracy Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Tracy median: $84,299/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tracy Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,727 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +13.41% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tracy, CA earn a median of $84,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.41% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.80% below the California state average of $86,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tracy has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tracy, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,299 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,535 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,758
2025 BLS Actual
$81,995
2026 Current Est.
$84,299
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Tracy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,758 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,008 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,996 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,902 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,995 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,299 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,668 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tracy metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $69,758 (2019) to $81,995 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,668 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,910 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tracy 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) | $61,196 – $72,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,190 – $84,299 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,299 – $94,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,106 – $103,568 |
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 Tracy
The job market in Tracy currently employs 14 occupational therapy assistants, which reflects a fairly concentrated workforce in this specialty. The local cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while pay is competitive, the higher living expenses can impact overall take-home purchasing power. Among the primary employers in the area are skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, which typically offer higher compensation compared to school districts and outpatient clinics. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend or PRN premiums, and the timing of school-year contracts can contribute to pay variability. The ongoing 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has also shifted financial dynamics across various settings. For those aiming to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Tracy, strategies such as targeting high-paying employers, considering additional certifications, and exploring roles that offer flexible scheduling can enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Tracy, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Tracy?
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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 $81,995 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Tracy 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 Tracy 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