Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Brighton, CO: $73,205 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Brighton, CO earns a median $73,205/year (≈ $35.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $69,719 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Brighton, CO, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $73,205. This amount slightly lags behind the national median of $74,332, reflecting local market dynamics and cost of living adjustments. Occupational therapy assistants can expect a salary range from $54,950 at the 10th percentile to $90,204 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant earning potential in the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, indicate a robust job market for this profession in Brighton, where individuals pursuing the COTA-to-MOT bridge can enhance their lifetime earning capacity substantially.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,773 | $30.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,205 | $35.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,493 | $38.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,204 | $43.37 |
Median Salary Position
1.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton
In Brighton, CO, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,254 (2026 est.). At $73,205, the local median is 1.52% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be above the median
How Brighton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Brighton median: $73,205/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brighton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $76,815 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -1.52% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brighton, CO earn a median of $73,205 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.52% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $76,815.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,205 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,719 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,578
2025 BLS Actual
$71,204
2026 Current Est.
$73,205
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,578 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,986 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,276 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,994 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,205 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,578 (2019) to $71,204 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,684 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton 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) | $54,950 – $63,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,773 – $73,205 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,205 – $80,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,493 – $90,204 |
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 Brighton
Employing seven occupational therapy assistants, Brighton offers a competitive job environment despite its moderate cost of living index of 105. This index suggests that while salaries for COTAs may not be among the highest, the purchasing power can still be viable. Local employers, particularly skilled nursing facilities, prioritize pay structures that can often yield favorable outcomes and opportunities to work in multiple settings, including outpatient clinics or schools. The disparity in pay levels can be attributed to various factors, such as productivity expectations and the effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut implemented in 2022. Those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Brighton, CO, should consider roles that align with higher payment schemes—like inpatient rehab or focused contracts with school districts—while being flexible in work hours to increase their earning potential.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Brighton, CO in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Brighton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Brighton?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Brighton?
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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 $71,204 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Brighton 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 Brighton 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