Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Brookings, SD: $49,380 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Brookings, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,380 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brookings's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $53,211 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,728) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the occupational therapy assistant field in Brookings, South Dakota, the starting pay presents a realistic and varied expectation. The projected entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in Brookings for 2026 sits at $49,380, which is significantly lower than the median salary of $63,728 for all occupational therapy assistants in the city. This gap highlights the gradual increase new COTAs can anticipate as they gain experience; starting at the lower end allows room for professional growth, with potential earnings reaching $56,409 as they progress to the 25th percentile. Given these figures, Brookings appears to offer a stable job market for recent grads, though the lower starting wages compared to national averages may necessitate smart budgeting strategies for newcomers.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brookings
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 Brookings
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Brookings, SD typically start between $49,380 and $56,409 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,552 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,728 — 14.27% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in South Dakota of $18,000 represents just 36.45% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($49,380/year) in Brookings. 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 Brookings
- 1Research the Brookings market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $49,380 to $56,409, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brookings, 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 Brookings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brookings's below-average 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 Brookings is $24,552 ( 49.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,380, experienced hygienists can earn up to $73,932.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,926
2025 BLS Actual
$48,030
2026 Current Est.
$49,380
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,926 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,278 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,664 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,719 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,399 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,030 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,380 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,767 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Brookings, SD grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,926 in 2019 to $48,030 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,767. New graduates entering the Brookings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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 Brookings
Employers across Brookings that tend to hire fresh graduates range from skilled nursing facilities to local school districts. Skilled nursing rehabilitation firms typically onboard most entry-level occupational therapy assistants, while school districts often provide attractive summer-off schedules, appealing to recent graduates. Outpatient clinics may prefer seasoned professionals but do invest in training new hires for specialized roles such as pediatric or hand-therapy support. Credentials play a vital part in enhancing starting wages, with a graduate’s completion of an ACOTE-accredited program, passing the NBCOT national exam for the COTA credential, and obtaining a state license being fundamental. Although new occupational therapy assistants face a challenging landscape influenced by the 15% Medicare Part B cut affecting OTA-provided services initiated in 2022, a thoughtful career strategy in these first few years—leveraging opportunities for professional development through AOTA and engaging with potential COTA-to-MOT bridge pathways—can result in meaningful salary growth during the early career stages in Brookings.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Brookings in 2026?
How fast do occupational therapy assistant salaries grow in Brookings?
Is occupational therapy school worth it in Brookings?
What do new occupational therapy assistants make right out of school in Brookings?
How do I become a occupational therapy assistant in South Dakota?
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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
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 Brookings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings 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