Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bridgeport, CT: $75,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bridgeport, CT earns a median $75,781/year (≈ $36.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bridgeport's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.9), that paycheck buys what $70,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the Connecticut state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Bridgeport, Connecticut, can expect a median annual salary of $75,781 in 2026, reflecting a slight increase over the national median of $74,332. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, with the 10th percentile earning approximately $63,732 and those at the 90th percentile making around $84,088. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected into the upcoming year. The job market in Bridgeport reflects the structural divide between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), schools, and hospitals, especially in light of the post-Medicare cut realities that have impacted compensation in these settings differently.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,732 | $30.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,179 | $31.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,781 | $36.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,622 | $37.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,088 | $40.42 |
Median Salary Position
1.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bridgeport
In Bridgeport, CT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,356 (2026 est.). At $75,781, the local median is 1.95% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bridgeport: You'd be above the median
How Bridgeport Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bridgeport median: $75,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bridgeport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,105 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +1.95% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bridgeport, CT earn a median of $75,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.95% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.90% above the Connecticut state average of $75,105.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bridgeport has a cost of living 6.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bridgeport, CT has a cost-of-living index of 106.864 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,781 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,913 — a 6.42% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,360
2025 BLS Actual
$73,710
2026 Current Est.
$75,781
2019–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bridgeport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,911 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bridgeport metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 14.5% from $64,360 (2019) to $73,710 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,911 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,551 (21.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bridgeport 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) | $63,732 – $66,179 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,179 – $75,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,781 – $77,622 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,622 – $84,088 |
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 Bridgeport
In Bridgeport, approximately 230 occupational therapy assistants are actively employed, navigating a local environment where the cost of living index stands at 106.864. This index indicates a higher-than-average living cost, which influences how much take-home purchasing power actually translates from salaries. Employers within skilled nursing facilities generally pay the most, followed by hospital inpatient rehabilitation centers, while school district contracts tend to offer lower pay due to different funding structures and productivity expectations. The salary spread in this market may be partly attributed to factors such as weekend and PRN premiums as well as the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services. For COTAs in Bridgeport to maximize their pay, pursuing work in higher-paying settings or exploring opportunities for year-round contracts may prove beneficial.
More salary data for Bridgeport, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bridgeport?
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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 $73,710 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bridgeport 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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