Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Falls Church, VA: $72,767 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Falls Church, VA earns a median $72,767/year (≈ $34.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Falls Church's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $70,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $72,767 in 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Falls Church, Virginia, earn a competitive wage compared to national figures. The local salary range spans from $56,146 at the lower end (P10) to $84,156 at the top (P90), reflecting the diversity of roles within the sector. These figures are informed by 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for local economic conditions. Given the city's growing healthcare infrastructure and demand for skilled personnel, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is poised for positive growth, making it an attractive career path for current COTAs and those considering the transition to higher-level credentials through COTA-to-MOT bridge programs.
About the Falls Church Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,146 | $27.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,237 | $30.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,767 | $34.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,072 | $37.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,156 | $40.46 |
Median Salary Position
2.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Falls Church
In Falls Church, VA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,010 (2026 est.). At $72,767, the local median is 2.11% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Falls Church: You'd be above the median
How Falls Church Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Falls Church median: $72,767/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Falls Church Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $78,923 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.11% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Falls Church, VA earn a median of $72,767 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.11% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.80% below the Virginia state average of $78,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Falls Church has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Falls Church, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,767 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,511 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,215
2025 BLS Actual
$70,778
2026 Current Est.
$72,767
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Falls Church (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,215 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,431 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,897 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,599 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,707 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,778 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,767 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Falls Church metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,215 (2019) to $70,778 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,597 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Falls Church 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) | $56,146 – $64,237 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,237 – $72,767 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,767 – $77,072 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,072 – $84,156 |
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 Falls Church
The occupational therapy assistant job market in Falls Church remains robust, with five professionals currently employed in the area. Despite a slightly elevated cost of living index of 103.2, which can affect purchasing power, opportunities exist for higher-paying roles, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics where productivity expectations are stringent. Factors such as benefits linked to weekend shifts, part-time employment, and variations in hospital versus school contracts significantly impact salary spreads. Additionally, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA-provided services continues to affect pay rates across various settings. COTAs seeking to maximize their compensation in Falls Church should consider strategic employment in high-demand sectors and pursue continuing education opportunities to enhance their qualifications.
More salary data for Falls Church, VA:
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 $70,778 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Falls Church 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 Falls Church 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