Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Great Falls, MT: $41,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Great Falls, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,143 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Great Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 96.2 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $42,768 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($60,188) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A new graduate entering the occupational therapy assistant field in Great Falls, Montana, can expect a starting occupational therapy assistant salary around $41,143 in 2026. This figure juxtaposes sharply against the city's median annual salary of $60,188, indicating a significant gap that many newcomers might face. Those who begin their careers at the lower end of the scale often experience growth in their earnings as they gain experience and skills. Over the first few years, entry-level assistants may progress through the salary tiers, reaching approximately $49,815 within a few years, although the path to the median will require diligent effort and professional development. Given the local job market and the anticipated annual growth rate of 2.81%, Great Falls remains a promising location for new graduates seeking opportunities in the field.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Great Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Great Falls, MT typically start between $41,143 and $49,815 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $36,096 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $60,188 — 19.03% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Montana of $18,000 represents just 43.75% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($41,143/year) in Great Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACOTE-accredited Occupational Therapy Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school settings.
OTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Great Falls
- 1Research the Great Falls market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $41,143 to $49,815, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the occupational therapy field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Great Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Great Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Great Falls's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Compensation Range
The occupational therapy assistant wage spread in Great Falls is $36,096 ( 87.73%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,143, experienced hygienists can earn up to $77,239.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,433
2025 BLS Actual
$40,018
2026 Current Est.
$41,143
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,559 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,381 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,259 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,826 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,018 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,299 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Great Falls, MT grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $32,433 in 2019 to $40,018 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,299. New graduates entering the Great Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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.
Starting Your occupational therapy Career in Great Falls
In Great Falls, employers who are open to hiring new grads include skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which frequently have openings for entry-level occupational therapy assistants. School districts can also be appealing for recent graduates, offering more predictable hours and the potential for summer breaks. While outpatient clinics typically favor experienced COTAs, many are willing to train new professionals in specialized areas like pediatric or hand therapy. To boost starting pay in Montana, aspiring COTAs should ensure they complete an associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, pass the NBCOT national exam to earn the COTA credential, and secure a state OTA license. In the initial years of employment, it's reasonable for new professionals to aim for gradual salary increases as they acclimate to their roles and build expertise, especially in light of the ongoing impact of the 15% Medicare cut affecting reimbursement for OTA-provided services. With mindful career planning, early-career COTAs can navigate their way toward competitive wages in Great Falls over time.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Great Falls in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Great Falls?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Great Falls?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Great Falls?
How do I become a occupational therapy assistant in Montana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new occupational therapy graduates. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Great Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Great Falls 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