Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Norwalk, CT: $74,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Norwalk, CT earns a median $74,721/year (≈ $35.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Norwalk's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $69,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average occupational therapy assistant salary in Norwalk is projected to reach $74,721, which is slightly above the national median of $74,332. This competitive compensation reflects a broad salary range of $51,048 at the 10th percentile to $95,375 at the 90th percentile, indicating diversity in earnings based on factors such as experience, setting, and the complexity of care provided. These figures are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. The occupational therapy assistant market in Norwalk is poised for steady growth, offering opportunities for professionals, particularly those who excel in productivity and can navigate varying job settings.
About the Norwalk Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,048 | $24.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,650 | $29.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,721 | $35.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,866 | $40.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,375 | $45.85 |
Median Salary Position
0.52% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Norwalk
In Norwalk, CT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,327 (2026 est.). At $74,721, the local median is 0.52% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Norwalk: You'd be above the median
How Norwalk Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Norwalk median: $74,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Norwalk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,097 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +0.52% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norwalk, CT earn a median of $74,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.52% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 0.50% below the Connecticut state average of $75,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Norwalk has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Norwalk, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,721 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,250 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,832
2025 BLS Actual
$72,679
2026 Current Est.
$74,721
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Norwalk (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,054 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,361 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,314 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,679 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,821 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Norwalk metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $61,832 (2019) to $72,679 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,821 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,989 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Norwalk 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) | $51,048 – $61,650 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,650 – $74,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,721 – $83,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,866 – $95,375 |
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 Norwalk
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Norwalk is relatively robust, with a total of 21 professionals employed in the area. However, individuals need to be mindful of the cost of living index of 107.9, which indicates that housing and daily expenses are above the national average, potentially impacting take-home pay. Higher salaries are typically found in hospital inpatient rehab settings, where the reimbursement models are more favorable compared to skilled nursing facilities, particularly in light of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut introduced in 2022. Factors affecting the salary spread include not only the type of work environment but also productivity expectations, such as visits-per-day requirements and premium pay for weekends or PRN shifts. For those entering this field, it’s advantageous to consider positions in outpatient clinics or early intervention programs, as they tend to offer better pay scales compared to school contracts and SNF roles.
More salary data for Norwalk, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $72,679 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Norwalk 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 Norwalk 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