Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in SeaTac, WA: $78,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in SeaTac, WA earns a median $78,227/year (≈ $37.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in SeaTac's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $72,837 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in SeaTac, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $78,227 in 2026, slightly above the national average of $74,332. With a salary range from $55,489 at the lower end to $97,801 at the 90th percentile, this reflects the effective compensation linked to productivity expectations in the field. The figures presented here are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Given the market dynamics in SeaTac, job seekers are likely to find a range of opportunities across various settings, shaping their earning potential through the number of patient visits and the productivity targets set by employers.
About the SeaTac Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,489 | $26.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,005 | $31.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,227 | $37.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,251 | $39.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,801 | $47.02 |
Median Salary Position
5.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in SeaTac
In SeaTac, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,312 (2026 est.). At $78,227, the local median is 5.24% above the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in SeaTac: You'd be above the median
How SeaTac Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
SeaTac median: $78,227/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | SeaTac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,824 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | +5.24% more |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in SeaTac, WA earn a median of $78,227 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.24% higher than the national median of $74,332 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $79,824.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
SeaTac has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
SeaTac, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,227 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,837 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,734
2025 BLS Actual
$76,089
2026 Current Est.
$78,227
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in SeaTac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,734 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,238 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,965 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,617 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,522 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,773 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,089 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,425 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the SeaTac metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $64,734 (2019) to $76,089 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,691 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the SeaTac 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) | $55,489 – $66,005 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,005 – $78,227 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,227 – $82,251 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,251 – $97,801 |
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 SeaTac
With six occupational therapy assistants currently employed in the SeaTac area, opportunities are limited but can be lucrative based on specific job settings. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, which is above the national average, potentially impacting the overall purchasing power of salaries earned. Positions in hospital inpatient rehab typically offer the highest compensation, while skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics provide a broader spectrum of pay due to varying productivity expectations and contract structures. The recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut on OTA services has particularly strained earnings in skilled nursing and outpatient settings. To maximize pay within this market, COTAs should consider roles that offer higher productivity demands, investigate school district contracts for year-round stability, and explore the flexibility of PRN work, all while pursuing additional certifications or a COTA-to-MOT bridge for career advancement.
More salary data for SeaTac, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in SeaTac?
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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 $76,089 for occupational therapy assistantsin the SeaTac 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 SeaTac 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