Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Spokane, WA: $72,553 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Spokane, WA earns a median $72,553/year (≈ $34.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Spokane's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.3), that paycheck buys what $72,303 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Spokane, WA, can expect a median annual salary of $72,553 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $74,332 for the same year. With salaries ranging from $59,877 at the 10th percentile to $85,836 at the 90th percentile, compensation for this role reflects the productivity expectations that often shape pay scales in healthcare settings. Factors such as the number of therapy visits completed per day and the type of facility where a COTA is employed play a significant role in determining salary variations. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, indicating some interesting opportunities for professional growth in Spokane's occupational therapy sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,877 | $28.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,701 | $30.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,553 | $34.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,803 | $39.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,836 | $41.27 |
Median Salary Position
2.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spokane
In Spokane, WA, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,959 (2026 est.). At $72,553, the local median is 2.39% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spokane: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spokane Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Spokane median: $72,553/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spokane Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $79,816 | -9.10% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -2.39% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Spokane, WA earn a median of $72,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.39% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 9.10% below the Washington state average of $79,816.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spokane has a cost of living 0.35% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Spokane, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.346 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,553 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,303 — a 0.34% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,070
2025 BLS Actual
$70,570
2026 Current Est.
$72,553
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Spokane (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,553 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,592 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spokane metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $60,070 (2019) to $70,570 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,592 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,522 (24.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spokane 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) | $59,877 – $63,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,701 – $72,553 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,553 – $82,803 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,803 – $85,836 |
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 Spokane
As Spokane’s job market currently supports 110 occupational therapy assistants, factors like the cost of living, which sits at a CoL index of 100.346, affect take-home pay. With the demand for COTAs in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital inpatient rehab, and outpatient clinics, certain employers tend to offer higher pay to attract talent. The spread between the lowest and highest salaries often hinges on workplace setting, productivity demands, and seasonal contracts, especially in schools versus year-round programs. Furthermore, the 15% cut in Medicare reimbursements for OTA services can compress wages, particularly in settings heavily reliant on such funding. For those looking to enhance their earnings in Spokane, maximizing productivity, seeking employment in higher-paying settings, and considering bridge pathways from COTA to MOT may provide significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Spokane, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Spokane, WA in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Spokane?
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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 $70,570 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Spokane 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