Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bristol, VA: $67,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bristol, VA earns a median $67,354/year (≈ $32.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $65,266 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected compensation for an occupational therapy assistant in Bristol, Virginia, aligns at a median annual salary of $67,354. This figure reflects a salary range spanning from $51,062 at the 10th percentile to $79,040 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight how productivity expectations and the volume of patient visits per day heavily influence effective compensation. With the job market accommodating just six occupational therapy assistants, Bristol's competitive salary structure requires professionals to maximize productivity to achieve higher earnings within a concentrated employment pool.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,062 | $24.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,798 | $28.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,354 | $32.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,248 | $34.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,040 | $38.00 |
Median Salary Position
9.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,978 (2026 est.). At $67,354, the local median is 9.39% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be above the median
How Bristol Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bristol median: $67,354/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $78,961 | -14.70% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.39% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bristol, VA earn a median of $67,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.39% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 14.70% below the Virginia state average of $78,961.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,354 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,266 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,736
2025 BLS Actual
$65,513
2026 Current Est.
$67,354
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,032 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,935 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,219 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,483 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,513 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,247 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,736 (2019) to $65,513 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,511 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $51,062 – $58,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,798 – $67,354 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,354 – $72,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,248 – $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 Bristol
Analyzing the local job market reveals the implications of a slightly elevated cost of living index of 103.2 in Bristol, VA. This higher cost translates into reduced take-home purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants, making it crucial for these professionals to assess job opportunities that provide the best salaries. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics tend to offer more competitive pay compared to school districts. The spread between lower and higher wages often reflects factors like setting differences, productivity demands, and a 15% reimbursement cut from Medicare for OTA-provided services, which continues to exert downward pressure on pay in certain sectors. For COTAs looking to optimize their salaries in Bristol, targeting specialty areas and considering workload variations—such as weekend shifts or PRN opportunities—can significantly enhance overall pay.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bristol, VA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bristol?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Bristol?
How much does a occupational therapy assistant make per hour in Bristol?
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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 $65,513 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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