Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Texarkana, TX: $64,133 (2026)
Quick Answer:New occupational therapy assistants entering the Texarkana, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $64,133 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Texarkana's local price level (BEA RPP 84.0 — 16% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $76,338 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,960) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates pursuing an entry-level occupational therapy assistant position in Texarkana, TX, can expect starting salaries around $64,133. This figure serves as a baseline for those just entering the field, but the city’s median annual salary of approximately $81,960 indicates significant room for growth within the profession. Over the first few years, entry-level professionals can advance toward the 25th percentile salary of $73,540, signaling a positive trajectory. Given the city’s projected growth rate of 2.81% annually for the next five years, Texarkana presents a favorable job market, making it an opportune time for recent graduates to explore opportunities in this rewarding field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Texarkana
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 Texarkana
Entry-level occupational therapy assistants in Texarkana, TX typically start between $64,133 and $73,540 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,281 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,960 — 10.26% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average occupational therapy program cost in Texas of $22,000 represents just 34.30% of the starting occupational therapy assistant pay ($64,133/year) in Texarkana. 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 Texarkana
- 1Research the Texarkana market: entry-level occupational therapy assistant pay ranges from $64,133 to $73,540, 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 Texarkana, 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 Texarkana for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Texarkana'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 Texarkana is $25,281 ( 39.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $64,133, experienced hygienists can earn up to $89,414.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,556
2025 BLS Actual
$62,380
2026 Current Est.
$64,133
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,556 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,133 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,935 | Projected |
Entry-level occupational therapy assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Texarkana, TX grew 23.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $50,556 in 2019 to $62,380 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,935. New graduates entering the Texarkana job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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 Texarkana
Employment prospects for new occupational therapy assistants in Texarkana can be promising, particularly with local skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) often hiring fresh graduates as they seek to fill essential roles. School districts can provide beneficial work environments with their summer breaks, accommodating new graduates' schedules. However, outpatient clinics typically favor experienced professionals but do offer training positions for COTAs interested in areas like pediatrics or hand therapy. To maximize their earning potential, recent graduates should ensure they hold an associate's degree from an ACOTE-accredited OTA program, achieve the COTA credential through the NBCOT, and obtain their state OTA license. Although reimbursement rates for OTA services have been affected by the 15% Medicare cut introduced in 2022, dedicated professionals who focus on skill development and additional certifications may see realistic salary growth during their first three years that aligns with the market expectations for Texarkana.
More salary data for Texarkana, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Texarkana. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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