Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Union City, CA: $86,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Union City, CA earns a median $86,966/year (≈ $41.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,893 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, California, occupational therapy assistants can expect an estimated median annual salary of $86,966 in 2026, reflecting a noteworthy 17% increase compared to the national average of $74,332. Salaries in the region vary significantly, with a range from $60,493 at the 10th percentile to $103,768 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, suggest a healthy compensation landscape for COTAs working in various settings, affirming the job's demand within the local healthcare market. Given the focus on productivity and visit quotas, achieving higher salaries may correlate with settings that value efficiency and service volume.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,493 | $29.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,966 | $41.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,068 | $44.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,768 | $49.89 |
Median Salary Position
17.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,275 (2026 est.). At $86,966, the local median is 17% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be above the median
How Union City Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Union City median: $86,966/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $86,792 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +17.00% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Union City, CA earn a median of $86,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.00% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.20% above the California state average of $86,792.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,966 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,893 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,965
2025 BLS Actual
$84,589
2026 Current Est.
$86,966
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,965 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,638 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,222 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,171 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,682 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,410 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $71,965 (2019) to $84,589 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,410 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,445 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $60,493 – $75,810 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,810 – $86,966 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,966 – $93,068 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,068 – $103,768 |
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 Union City
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Union City consists of approximately 11 professionals, reflecting a relatively small workforce in this field. The cost of living index in the area stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries appear competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted by higher living expenses. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services tend to offer the most lucrative opportunities, thanks to higher reimbursement rates despite the 15% cuts affecting Medicare services. With variations in hourly wages influenced by factors such as employment setting, productivity expectations, and contract terms, COTAs aiming to maximize their earnings could consider seeking employment in dynamic environments like outpatient clinics or home health agencies, where demand and hours worked frequently provide higher compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Union City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Union City?
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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 $84,589 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Union City 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 Union City 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