Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Silver Spring, MD: $79,168 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Silver Spring, MD earns a median $79,168/year (≈ $38.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Silver Spring's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $72,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expectations for productivity greatly influence the occupational therapy assistant salary in Silver Spring, with a median annual income projected at $79,168. This figure surpasses the national median of $74,332 by approximately 6.51%, suggesting a competitive market for COTAs in the area. The salary range extends from $57,845 at the 10th percentile to $97,935 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various factors such as experience and setting. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity highlight that, while Silver Spring offers strong compensation, the number of employed occupational therapy assistants remains modest with only 12 professionals in the area. This suggests a focused but possibly tight-knit market, shaping the dynamics of compensation for skilled workers.
About the Silver Spring Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,845 | $27.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,078 | $32.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,168 | $38.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,538 | $42.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,935 | $47.09 |
Median Salary Position
6.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Silver Spring
In Silver Spring, MD, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,090 (2026 est.). At $79,168, the local median is 6.51% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Silver Spring: You'd be above the median
How Silver Spring Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Silver Spring median: $79,168/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Silver Spring Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $81,281 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +6.51% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Silver Spring, MD earn a median of $79,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.51% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% below the Maryland state average of $81,281.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Silver Spring has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Silver Spring, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,168 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,432 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,512
2025 BLS Actual
$77,004
2026 Current Est.
$79,168
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Silver Spring (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,035 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,746 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,684 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,004 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,168 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Silver Spring metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $65,512 (2019) to $77,004 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,880 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Silver Spring 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) | $57,845 – $68,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,078 – $79,168 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,168 – $88,538 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,538 – $97,935 |
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 Silver Spring
As the cost-of-living index in Silver Spring sits at 109.3, the actual take-home pay for occupational therapy assistants can feel more pressurized than in areas with a lower cost of living. Typically, employers such as skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the highest wages, especially as they navigate the implications of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services that was enacted in 2022. These cuts may also compress earnings in outpatient settings, contributing to the disparity in pay across different settings. Maximizing pay potential in Silver Spring may involve seeking roles in higher-paying facilities and focusing on settings that are less affected by budget cuts. Additionally, considering year-round contracts may prove beneficial for COTAs as opposed to those tied to school-year schedules, which often have a lower pay grade. Ultimately, navigating this compact market relies on strategic employment choices and understanding the evolving financial landscape that affects occupational therapy assistant pay in Silver Spring, MD.
More salary data for Silver Spring, 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 $77,004 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Silver Spring 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 Silver Spring 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