Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Beaumont, TX: $59,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Beaumont, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $59,321 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Beaumont's local price level (BEA RPP 90.0 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $65,879 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,931) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Beaumont, TX, new graduates entering the field of occupational therapy as assistants can expect a starting salary around $59,321 as of 2026. This figure significantly trails the city's median annual salary of $84,931, indicating that entry-level positions may come with modest pay compared to more experienced COTAs. However, first-job salaries can provide an upward trajectory; with dedication and experience, new graduates have the potential to advance to approximately $78,166 at the 25th percentile within a few years, moving toward the median salary as they gain skills and accumulate work history. Overall, Beaumont presents a viable market for aspiring occupational therapy assistants, offering growth opportunities and a supportive environment for new professionals.
Career Earnings Timeline in Beaumont
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 Beaumont
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Beaumont, TX typically start between $59,321 and $78,166 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,948 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,931 — 14.26% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Texas of $22,000 represents just 37.09% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($59,321/year) in Beaumont. 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 Beaumont
- 1Research the Beaumont market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $59,321 to $78,166, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Beaumont, 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 Beaumont for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Beaumont'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 Beaumont is $37,948 ( 63.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $59,321, experienced hygienists can earn up to $97,269.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,630
2025 BLS Actual
$57,700
2026 Current Est.
$59,321
2019–2027 Growth
+5.8%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Beaumont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,388 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,456 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,988 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Beaumont, TX grew 0.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $57,630 in 2019 to $57,700 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $60,988. New graduates entering the Beaumont job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Beaumont 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 Beaumont
In Beaumont, various employers actively hire entry-level occupational therapy assistants, primarily skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), which are often the most dependable sources of employment for new graduates seeking hands-on experience. School districts can be appealing, too, particularly for those interested in work-life balance, as they often provide a summer-off schedule. Outpatient clinics may prefer experienced COTAs but often provide training to new hires in specific therapeutic areas, such as pediatrics or hand therapy. To boost their starting pay in Texas, candidates must hold an associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited program, obtain NBCOT certification, and secure a state licensing as an OTA. Given recent changes in compensation due to the 15% Medicare Part B cut affecting OTA-provided services, it is wise for new professionals to focus on building specialized skills in their first few years. In this context, realistic salary growth for new entrants in Beaumont could realistically see them moving toward established salary ranges within three years of experience, underscoring the importance of strategic continuing education and on-the-job learning.
More salary data for Beaumont, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for occupational therapy assistants in Beaumont in 2026?
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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 Beaumont. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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