Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Catonsville, MD: $77,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Catonsville, MD earns a median $77,568/year (≈ $37.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Catonsville's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $70,968 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $77,568 in 2026, the occupational therapy assistant salary in Catonsville significantly exceeds the national average of $74,332 for the same year. The salary range for this profession runs from $58,429 at the 10th percentile to $92,885 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a wide variance that reflects differences in job settings, experience, and responsibilities. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations in Maryland. In Catonsville, the job market for occupational therapy assistants appears solid, providing competitive earnings as professionals consider pursuing additional education and the COTA-to-MOT bridge to enhance their potential lifetime pay.
About the Catonsville Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,429 | $28.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,725 | $32.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,568 | $37.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,554 | $41.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,885 | $44.66 |
Median Salary Position
4.35% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Catonsville
In Catonsville, MD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,456 (2026 est.). At $77,568, the local median is 4.35% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Catonsville: You'd be above the median
How Catonsville Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Catonsville median: $77,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Catonsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $81,223 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +4.35% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Catonsville, MD earn a median of $77,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 4.50% below the Maryland state average of $81,223.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Catonsville has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Catonsville, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,568 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,968 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,188
2025 BLS Actual
$75,448
2026 Current Est.
$77,568
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Catonsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,188 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,047 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,135 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,448 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,748 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Catonsville metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,188 (2019) to $75,448 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,748 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,560 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Catonsville 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) | $58,429 – $67,725 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,725 – $77,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,568 – $85,554 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,554 – $92,885 |
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 Catonsville
Focusing on local employment, Catonsville currently has about 10 occupational therapy assistants employed, each contributing to the area's healthcare landscape. However, with a cost-of-living index of 109.3, the purchasing power for these salaries slightly diminishes, reflecting a higher-than-average cost of living. Employers that typically offer the highest pay include skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab programs, often because they demand rigorous productivity. The disparity in salaries can stem from factors like work setting, benefits, and the impact of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services since 2022. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, prospective occupational therapy assistants should consider roles in specialized settings, pursue overtime or weekend positions, and maintain flexibility with contracts—strategies that are increasingly important as the field continues to adapt to evolving healthcare policies in Catonsville.
More salary data for Catonsville, MD:
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 $75,448 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Catonsville 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 Catonsville 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