Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Renton, WA: $81,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Renton, WA earns a median $81,917/year (≈ $39.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Renton's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $76,273 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in Renton, Washington, are projected to earn a median salary of $81,917 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive market, especially when compared to the national median of $74,332, indicating a local advantage of over 10%. Salary ranges vary significantly, from $56,327 at the 10th percentile to $100,087 at the 90th percentile, influenced by various employment settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional cost of living provide valuable insights into the earning potential of OTAs in Renton. Given the ongoing challenges in reimbursement rates, particularly after the 15% Medicare cut, the market is continuing to evolve, placing applicants in a dynamic position as they transition from school to practice.
About the Renton Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,327 | $27.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,965 | $32.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,917 | $39.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,021 | $42.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,087 | $48.12 |
Median Salary Position
10.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Renton
In Renton, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,760 (2026 est.). At $81,917, the local median is 10.2% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Renton: You'd be above the median
How Renton Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Renton median: $81,917/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Renton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,841 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | +10.20% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Renton, WA earn a median of $81,917 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.20% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.60% above the Washington state average of $79,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Renton has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Renton, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,917 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,273 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,787
2025 BLS Actual
$79,678
2026 Current Est.
$81,917
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Renton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,363 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,807 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,348 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,678 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,219 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Renton metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $67,787 (2019) to $79,678 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,432 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Renton 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) | $56,327 – $67,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,965 – $81,917 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,917 – $89,021 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,021 – $100,087 |
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 Renton
Analyzing the job market in Renton reveals interesting trends for the 27 employed occupational therapy assistants. The cost-of-living index in the area sits at 107.4, meaning that while salaries are relatively higher, purchasing power may be affected by rising living expenses. Among local employers, hospitals typically offer the highest wages compared to skilled nursing facilities and school contracts. The divergence in salaries can largely be attributed to the type of setting, productivity requirements, and the impact of the Medicare reimbursement cut that occurred in 2022. For those looking to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Renton, securing roles in hospitals or taking on PRN shifts can significantly boost earnings. Additionally, exploring contracts with early intervention programs or home health agencies may provide advantageous opportunities for professional growth and financial compensation.
More salary data for Renton, WA:
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 $79,678 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Renton 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 Renton 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