Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Portland, OR: $80,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Portland, OR earns a median $80,850/year (≈ $38.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $76,692 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In the vibrant city of Portland, Oregon, the anticipated annual compensation for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) is projected at $80,850 for 2026. This figure represents a competitive advantage over the national average by approximately 8.77%, reflecting the strong demand for OTAs in the region. Salaries range from $67,022 at the 10th percentile to $93,968 at the 90th percentile, providing a clear spectrum of earning potential. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, hinting at reinforced expectations for productivity that often hinge on the number of client visits per day. Given Portland’s increasing demand for rehabilitation services, aspiring OTAs can anticipate a favorable job market as they enter the workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,022 | $32.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,499 | $35.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,638 | $41.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,968 | $45.17 |
Median Salary Position
8.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,946 (2026 est.). At $80,850, the local median is 8.77% above the national median of $74,332.
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How Portland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Portland median: $80,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $76,273 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +8.77% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Portland, OR earn a median of $80,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.77% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 6.00% above the Oregon state average of $76,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,850 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,692 — a 5.14% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,790
2025 BLS Actual
$78,640
2026 Current Est.
$80,850
2019–2027 Growth
+32.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,122 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 25.2% from $62,790 (2019) to $78,640 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,122 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,332 (32.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $67,022 – $73,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,499 – $80,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,850 – $86,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,638 – $93,968 |
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 Portland
As of now, around 170 occupational therapy assistants are employed in Portland, showing a steady demand for skilled professionals despite the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has impacted pay rates in certain settings. With a cost-of-living index of 105.421, the area does present a higher-than-average expense for residents, which can influence take-home salaries and purchasing power. Those aiming for higher occupational therapy assistant pay in Portland OR might consider positions in hospital inpatient rehabilitation, known for better compensation compared to skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics. Variances in pay often relate to job setting, productivity expectations, and whether positions are school-year or year-round contracts. To optimize earnings, aligning with employers that value experience and offering expertise during weekend or PRN shifts, along with pursuing the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways, can significantly enhance earning potential in this dynamic market.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 $78,640 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Portland 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