Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Dover, DE: $77,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Dover, DE earns a median $77,560/year (≈ $37.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $79,543 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Dover, Delaware, can expect a median annual salary of $77,560 in 2026, which is notably above the projected national median of $74,332. The salary range for this role spans from $66,158 at the 10th percentile to $79,040 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive pay scale influenced by various factors such as experience, setting, and local demand. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, suggests that proficient COTAs who effectively manage their visits-per-day can leverage their productivity to potentially elevate their earning capacity in Dover's job market, which serves approximately 60 occupational therapy assistants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,158 | $31.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,114 | $32.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,560 | $37.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,030 | $38.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,040 | $38.00 |
Median Salary Position
4.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,882 (2026 est.). At $77,560, the local median is 4.34% above the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Dover Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Dover median: $77,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $75,594 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.34% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dover, DE earn a median of $77,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.34% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% above the Delaware state average of $75,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $77,560 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,543 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,181
2025 BLS Actual
$75,440
2026 Current Est.
$77,560
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,181 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,673 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,411 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,181 (2019) to $75,440 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,558 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $66,158 – $67,114 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,114 – $77,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,560 – $79,030 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,030 – $79,040 |
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 Dover
The local job market for occupational therapy assistants in Dover presents unique dynamics shaped by the cost of living, which is slightly below the national average at 97.507. This lower cost may enhance the purchasing power of COTAs, allowing them to maintain a comfortable lifestyle while enjoying competitive salaries. Notably, employers in skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest compensation, although outpatient clinics and hospital inpatient rehab settings may present opportunities for enhanced earnings, particularly if COTAs adjust their schedules to accommodate weekend or PRN work, especially in light of the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTA-provided services. To maximize their pay in this specific market, COTAs should consider pursuing contracts with school districts, which can provide stable hours during the academic year, while simultaneously exploring year-round positions in home health agencies where demand can lead to higher hourly rates.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 $75,440 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Dover 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, 2-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